Yesterday, at the cinema, did your hair stand on end for no reason? This phenomenon, although surprising, can be explained. Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical, tells us more about this.
Goosebumps: an (also) emotional reaction
Goosebumps occur both in very cold weather and during strong emotion. Behind this innocuous reaction lies a very specific mechanism: the brain triggers this reflex via the hypothalamus and the limbic system (notably the amygdala, involved in the processing of emotions) which send nervous signals to the hair erector muscles.
“Goosebumps (piloerection) is a “reflex” reaction in which the horripilatory muscles contract around the hair follicles, straightening the hairs to trap an insulating layer of air against the cold,” confirms Dr Gérald Kierzek.
“In the absence of cold, it can also occur under the effect of the sympathetic nervous system, activated by strong emotions (fear, joy, musical ecstasy). This activation leads to the release of adrenaline, reproducing a state of physiological stress”, he specifies.
So, if we spontaneously associate goosebumps with cold, they also appear in situations with strong emotions. For example, listening to a particularly moving speech at a wedding or watching a significant scene at the cinema.
“When it appears without exposure to cold, this reaction constitutes a true vestige of our evolution. In furry animals, raising their hair makes it possible to appear more imposing in order to intimidate a predator or attract a partner. In humans, who today have little hair, this mechanism persists as an automatic response to cold or emotional stress, reinforcing the sensation of intensity experienced”, specifies the medical director of True Medical.
However, are we doomed to see our hairs stand on end when an intense emotion passes through us? In reality, it all depends on your sensitivity and your personality, which play a determining role here.
Being more sensitive would make you more prone to goosebumps
If some people seem to feel these chills more often than others, this manifestation could simply be explained… by our brain connections :
“People who are empathetic or more emotionally sensitive would have more goosebumps. This could be explained by neuronal hyperconnectivity promoting empathy and social cohesion. Some studies on music show that these individuals have more connections between the emotional and motor areas of the brain, making the reaction more frequent during intense or empathetic experiences”,
says the doctor.
This response could even strengthen social bonds by promoting the sharing of emotions within a group.
Enough to see in a new way this little thrill that runs through you!