Introduction:
The stomach clenching on seeing a person we like, and the fluttery feeling just before an interview are signs of butterflies in the stomach. Butterflies in the stomach are a human sensation caused by a reduction in blood flow to the stomach.
What Does Butterflies in the Stomach Mean?
A tightened stomach on seeing a person we like, and the feeling just before an interview are manifestations of butterflies in the stomach. Butterflies in the stomach are felt in human beings when the blood supply to the stomach is affected. This is a result of adrenaline release in a fight-flight response. When there is a stimulus (like seeing a person or facing an interview panel), it activates the basal ganglia of the cerebrum. This is the part of the brain associated with pleasure and pressure. This sends a message to the stomach through the vagus nerve, which elicits the feeling in the gut.
What Is the Pathophysiology Behind Butterflies in the Stomach?
Butterflies in the stomach are determined by two systems, the salience network of the brain and the autonomous nervous system. The salience network is a collection of regions in the human brain that select the stimuli that require attention. It controls switching between the internal and external processing of the brain's two control networks: the default mode network (DMN) and the central executive network (CEN). Both these networks are not active simultaneously in a healthy brain. The salience network controls which network is active at a particular time to prevent missing information or mixing of messages. Once a stimulus is identified, the salience network evaluates it and prepares an appropriate response. For example, suppose we encounter a person we are interested in. In that case, the network will trigger a neural jolt to the stomach, which can even result in releasing dopamine, the feel-good hormone.
The autonomous nervous system (ANS) regulates the body's involuntary functions, like the heartbeat, respiratory rate and so on. The ANS is divided into two branches, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. These branches are always active and act opposite to each other. The sympathetic system is responsible for the increased heart rate, while the parasympathetic system decreases it. The balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems is the reason behind the normal heart rate. The action of the parasympathetic system makes the body tired after a big meal. The body directs some of the blood supply from the heart to be directed to the stomach. This causes a feeling of tiredness, making the body want to sit down and relax for a while.
The sympathetic nervous system also regulates the fight-flight response of the body. The fight-flight response is the mechanism by which our body prepares itself for the events that are about to happen. The major stimulating triggers of ANS are fear and anxiety, which cause an adrenaline rush (a rapid release of adrenaline) and the release of the stress hormone or cortisol, norepinephrine. The body starts pumping more blood to the extremities to prepare them for flight or fight, leaving the stomach with no or limited blood supply. This causes a fluttering sensation in the stomach, commonly termed ‘butterflies in the stomach.’
The feeling of butterflies in the stomach is the body’s language of telling that though it is stressed, it is motivated to do something or see that person again. It is basically the same feeling when angry, but the body reacts differently. The feeling of ‘butterflies in the stomach’ is usually associated with love or excitement. But recent studies show that the ‘butterflies in the stomach’ have nothing to do with true love; rather, it is a healthy experience.
What Are the Situations Associated With Butterflies in the Stomach Feeling?
Butterflies in the stomach can be associated with many scenarios like;
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Nervousness due to a specific event, just before a client meeting or while doing a presentation.
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While meeting someone new, like in a relationship, starting a new job, or any other event which involves a degree of unfamiliarity.
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It can be felt alongside anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that causes excessive worrying that interferes with normal life. Identifying the difference between anxiety disorder and butterflies in the stomach is important, as anxiety is constant and requires treatment. In contrast, ‘butterflies in the stomach’ can disappear in a while.
What Are the Signs of Butterflies in the Stomach?
The common signs of butterflies in the stomach include:
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A fluttery feeling in the stomach.
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Feeling having a knot in the stomach.
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Increased heart rate.
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Heavy breathing.
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Sweating.
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Dizziness.
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A tingling sensation after meeting a person romantically or someone who arouses sexually.
What Is the Purpose of This Feeling?
The feeling of butterflies in the stomach may signify an uncomfortable or stressful situation that is coming up or a nervous excitement from a new relationship. It is usually because of something a person is unsure of or some uncertainty surrounding it. It can signify that the body is trying to warn the person to stay on guard, stay motivated, or have an increased awareness of the surroundings.
What Are the Side-Effects of Butterflies in the Stomach?
While this prepares the body for upcoming events, it can also adversely affect the body in some ways.
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The limited supply of blood to the stomach can slow down digestion. The stomach and intestine muscles slow down the process of mixing the partially digested contents.
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The blood vessels in this area will constrict, reducing the blood flow.
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When the adrenaline contracts the stomach muscles to slow down digestion, it also relaxes a specific muscle called the external sphincter muscle. This is the reason behind the urge to use the bathroom when one has this fluttery feeling. It can be the body’s own way of letting the person know that he is not comfortable with the situation.
How to Get Over This Feeling?
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Practice Intentional Breathing: Research shows that breathing exercises can help to cope with the butterflies in the stomach. The increased flow of oxygen might help in relieving the signs.
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Accept Uncertainty: This fluttery feeling is mostly associated with uncertainty. Accepting that the uncertainty is out of a person’s control can help relieve the associated anxiety.
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Seek Help: If this feeling interferes with daily life or concentration, it is definitely possible that the individual might require medical help. Seeing a therapist or even opening out to a close friend might help.
Conclusion:
It is a natural phenomenon and common to have ‘butterflies in the stomach’ in some parts of life. It can be positive or negative, depending on the situation. Therapy might be required if these feelings hinder daily life or occurs frequently.
