ask: What is butterflies in your stomach?
Can someone tell me why we get butterflies in our stomachs. What exactly makes that happen?
Rate This
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment36 Comments
Butterflies in our stomach are caused by stress, and not all of it of the bad kind and the release of endorphins. The first few weeks of falling in love, about to go on stage, or waiting to find out if you're having a boy or a girl can all give you 'butterflies' in your belly. Butterflies in the stomach is general a pretty positive experience.
For the most part, it's adrenalin that causes this as well as the stress hormone Cortisol. Cortisol prevents proper digestion in the stomach and can cause that slight fluttery feeling.
The first few weeks of feeling a baby kick in your belly are also described as butterfly kicks. One of the best feelings in the world!
January 19, 2009 - 1:52pmThis Comment
I have had to butterflies in my stomach for like two days because the person that I have liked for seven years told me that he has like d me since the day we met and that he even.. Loves me :) <3
November 1, 2011 - 3:28pmI get that butterfly feeling when I'm feeling overly nervous or excited about something, and I can feel that surge of adrenalin. Sometimes it can be positive, but I've read that it can be really stressful to your body. It's like being in the "fight or flight" mode.
January 19, 2009 - 3:19pmGreat question! Over the years I have always been curious about the body response. Here is what I have learned about this "feeling" which can be so confused a "love" especially during dating!
When you get nervous or scared, your body gives you a shot of energy in the form of a naturally derived hormone (epinephrine = adrenaline) which is secreted from the adrenal glands. This process is a part of the sympathetic nervous system that all mammals . In situations of high stress, epinephrine is secreted in order to help the individual cope with the stress; physiologically, it allows the individual to increase his/her heart rate, which in turn, increases the rate of glycogenalysis, creating more energy and allowing the individual to run faster, jump higher, and perform better. In other words, it has to do with an automatic reaction of neurotransmitters that manifests in your stomach.
The increase in heart rate, due to the stressful situation, is also commonly known as "nervousness". This nervousness can manifests into many symptoms including the "butterfly" feeling in the stomach. The related biological term is called "fight or flight", which is what you do to make the stressful situation go away....you either deal with it (fight) or get away from it (flight).
January 19, 2009 - 11:03pmHope this helps!
Thanks for all the great information. I am actually very interested to know that it is due to stress since I tend to get them when it comes to a new man in my life. Maybe the idea of 'fight or flight' when it comes to a man is a great theory of bad men choices. Maybe our stomaches are actually telling us to run as fast as we can. Great information everyone, thank you.
January 24, 2009 - 2:30pmI disagree with that statement its good too like when a guy kisses your forehead and you feel that fluttery feeling or when your one month old son looks up and smiles at you or when you are standing on the front porch with your first love waiting on that first real goodnite kiss I am fifteen and I have had alot of experiences with "Butterflies" all good none bad not even the birth of Aaron so I disagree respectfuly
January 7, 2010 - 10:28amSound like miscortes has probably formed love maps towards men that she in the end deemed to be not good for her, and is therefore, now attracted to that type. And so when she gets the ButterFlies, it is probably attraction, yet rationally she knows that she probably should NOT be going out with them, because she can already see in her mind how it will most likely end.
August 16, 2010 - 10:47amBut how do you get ride of it.
April 20, 2009 - 9:46amAnon, because your body is in "flight or fight" mode, you have to do something to soothe it. And that depends on why you're feeling the butterflies.
For instance, if you are feeling nerves, why? If it's something like stage fright, sometimes the best thing to do is move forward -- it goes away once you're actually on stage. If it's the butterflies because you're on a date with a new acquaintance, you need to ask yourself if you're just nervous or if you actually feel that there's something to worry about (our intuition is a powerful thing, and it warns us in physical ways when it needs to.)
People can get the butterflies -- or a full-blown stomach ache/near panic attack -- due to anxiety. If you know there's no actual danger and that you are just anxious, self-talk and deep breathing will help more than anything.
Show yourself the "right" movie in your head -- instead of worrying that you'll trip on stage or have a horrible time on a day, visualize the performance going well or the date being a lot of fun. Take long, slow, deep breaths -- hold them for a count of three -- then exhale slowly, to a count of three. And when you breathe in, be sure you're breathing from your diaphragm -- you'll know that you are because your stomach rises.
The good thing is, butterflies do go away! But breathing and visualization will help you in the meantime.
April 24, 2009 - 2:15pmsee i was hanging out with this boy last night and we were talking it was a pretty deep conversation and all of a sudden I got butterflies in my stomach. And I am in love with him. He doesnt know that. We he kinda does. but I still need help on what to do. Please give me some advice.
June 7, 2009 - 4:02pm<3Ms. Comes out swingin<3