How Science Explains the Butterfly Feeling
Do Butterflies in the Stomach Mean Love?
Can Butterflies in the Stomach Be a Bad Thing?
By Damilola Adeleke
Most of us have had those fluttering feelings we commonly call “butterflies in the stomach”—the feeling we get when we’re nervous or excited about something. It’s a common phenomenon for people everywhere.
This article will discuss what it is, the science behind what is happening, if butterflies are truly a sign of love, the negative aspects of this feeling, and how to manage that butterflies in the stomach feeling.
What Is This Butterflies in the Stomach Sensation?
If you notice, butterflies usually occur when we are nervous, anxious, or excited. For example, maybe you had the jitters and got that “butterflies” in your stomach feeling before you were scheduled to give a big presentation to your team.
Or if you’re dating, maybe you experienced butterflies in your stomach when someone attractive approached you or when they knocked on your door before you went out on your first date. In those cases, you were likely excited.
How Science Explains the Butterfly Feeling
Scientists trace this sensation to a few things. The first is a chemical that is released called dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical. Dopamine helps us feel happy during pleasurable activities, like when you’re flirting or having sex.
The surge of norepinephrine in your central nervous system also contributes to feeling butterflies. Norepinephrine is both a hormone and neurotransmitter. As a neurotransmitter, it works as a chemical messenger between your nerve cells. Norepinephrine is released during times of stress or fear when the “fight or flight” response kicks in.
Similarly, it’s released during those romantic moments of attraction or arousal. While nervousness and arousal might seem like entirely different things, in both cases our bodies are in an excited, almost primitive state. Research has in fact shown that romantic love shares many characteristics with mammalian attraction.
The third way science explains the phenomenon we call butterflies in the stomach has to do with the gut-brain axis. If you have a gut feeling, butterflies in your stomach or gastrointestinal nervousness or stress, you’re receiving intelligence, but it’s coming from your gut area.
In effect, you’re experiencing the gut and brain’s remarkable connection. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, what is nicknamed our second brain or gut brain, is located in our digestive system. The digestive system even has its own nervous system called our enteric nervous system (ENS).
So, that attraction, excitement, nervousness, anxiety or stress creates undulations in your gut. Our body’s sophisticated nervous system is communicating with us. In everyday language, we call what we’re experiencing in this case, butterflies in the stomach.
Do Butterflies in the Stomach Mean Love?
When people describe the signs of love at first sight, they sometimes describe an instant attraction or knowing. They may also talk about experiencing butterflies in their stomach, stomach distress or a euphoric feeling.
Research from a study showed that hormonal changes happen when people fall in love, but those changes were transient. The cortisol levels rose significantly amongst those who had recently fallen in love compared with those who had not. Women in love showed higher testosterone levels while men in love showed lower levels of FSH and testosterone. But when tested 12 and 24 months later, their hormones reverted to normal levels.
It’s important to note that those flutters are therefore not signaling to you that this is everlasting love. Usually temporary, these flutters are signaling to you that you are nervous or thrilled about the situation. Love is built over time based on caring, respect and intimacy. It’s when you deeply bond with someone else and your relationship can go the distance.
https://www.calm.com/blog/butterflies-in-stomach
Can Butterflies in the Stomach Be a Bad Thing?
Having butterflies or gut-level signals can be a good thing. For example, it’s nice to be excited about a romantic prospect and feel that gentle flip-flop in our tummies. If our gut warns us to avoid a certain person, we should trust what it’s saying. Our gut has valuable information that it’s communicating to help us avoid danger.
Sometimes gut sensations and what people may erroneously call butterflies in the stomach signal a gastrointestinal disorder.
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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