Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: neilep on 06/08/2009 09:28:20

Title: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: neilep on 06/08/2009 09:28:20: Happy Day !

*sheepy bounces into forum and says 'whoopee whoopee doo baaaaaaaa ! '*

As a Sheepy I of course have a belly....it's round and furry and if ewe put your ear upon it ewe can hear my sheepy purr !

Sometimes though, I get that awkward sensation which people describe as ' butterflies in my stomach'...it's a strange feeling isn't it ?

Look, here's an x-ray of someones tummy as thye queue in line for my autograph.

butterflies_in_my_stomach_by_bee_ee.jpg (22.58 kB . 300x420 - viewed 190755 times)

Nice eh ? Being delivered next Tuesday as wallpaper.

So, what exactly is happening when we get ' butterflies in our belly ' ?...what causes it ? why does it feel so strange ?

hugs & Shmishses

mwah mwah mwah !

Neil
Flutterbies Feel Funny
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Karen W. on 06/08/2009 13:36:11: LOL...LOL...LOL..I love that picture...Its terrific!

I think it is the build up of excitement ...... stirs up our tummy contents and possibly does something with the stomach acid... I have often felt like it could be muscle contractions causing a wave in our tummy feeling like fluttery butterflies...but it does feel really funny.... nervous almost!
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 07/08/2009 09:16:00: Quote
Some believe that this is caused by the release of epinephrine (adrenaline) when one is nervous, pulling blood away from the stomach and sending it to the muscles. This reduced blood flow, in turn, causes the stomach to temporarily shut down, and possibly the reason for reduced appetite during love sickness. [:X]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterflies_in_the_stomach
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Karen W. on 07/08/2009 09:32:17: Quote from: Chemistry4me on 07/08/2009 09:16:00
Quote
Some believe that this is caused by the release of epinephrine (adrenaline) when one is nervous, pulling blood away from the stomach and sending it to the muscles. This reduced blood flow, in turn, causes the stomach to temporarily shut down, and possibly the reason for reduced appetite during love sickness. [:X]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterflies_in_the_stomach

Yee Haw.... So does that mean I can loose all my extra warm layers whilst I am in love! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!! I like that idea!
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Variola on 07/08/2009 09:48:25: I think it is to do with the enteric nervous system

Quote
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteric_nervous_system

It's actually a pretty specialized system, and very complex.
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Karen W. on 11/08/2009 15:06:55: Variola could you explain the enteric nervous system a bit..?

I really have no idea How the nervous system works.

Does this effect our stomach acids at all?
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: carreerslut on 15/08/2009 22:55:17: Your stomach is higher up than you feel. The fluttery sensation in the abdomen may be due to a slowing of the intestinal movements (peristalsis) which accompany adrenaline/epinephrine release when anxious. Also the stomach wants to empty its contents, preparing us for fight or flight. In short your digestion is put on hold.
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Karen W. on 16/08/2009 14:47:00: Thanks thats a great explanation!
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Don_1 on 17/08/2009 08:02:45: How do know they are butterflys, not moths?
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Karen W. on 18/08/2009 05:42:31: I suspect moths might feel heavier due to the size of their body.. LOL..or maybe butterflies move with more grace.. LOL
Title: Re: What Actually Is 'Butterflies In My Stomach' ?
Post by: Monox D. I-Fly on 08/09/2017 07:41:12: I never gets the "butterflies in my stomach" proverb. Usually when I am nervous or finding someone unexpectedly attractive, it's my chest which gets contracting and expanding back and forth. Do Western people really feel that in their stomach rather than their chest?