How does butterfly in your stomach feel

We call them "butterflies" but what is really behind that feeling in your stomach? According to Dr. Jamile Wakim-Fleming of Cleveland Clinic, there are nerve endings in the g-i tract that can literally cause a "gut feeling" or "gut reaction. Wakim-Fleming said. When we feel that nervous stomach feeling, which in addition to "butterflies" can include symptoms such as nausea, burning sensation, increased heart rate, and dry mouth, it's the body's way of reacting to stress.

Often referred to as the "fight or flight" response, the brain sends signals when it recognizes stress which can kick the body into high gear and in the process, make you feel like you're getting a kick in the stomach.

Wakim-Fleming says that nervous habits can add discomfort to your gut in stressful situations. Biting your tongue or your nails, for instance, causes you to swallow more air and can add to feelings of nausea of bloating. The same stress reaction is responsible for the 'knot' or tightness that some folks may feel in their gut after learning bad news.

Wakim-Fleming says it all comes down to the power of the brain to send messages that are received in the many nerve endings in the gut.

Wakim-Fleming says it's important for folks to know what dietary triggers contribute to their "gut feeling" and to try to manage or eliminate them to lessen discomfort. Skip to content. Live Doppler Radar. Friday Night Overtime. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Register or Log In. The Magazine Shop. Login Register Stay Curious Subscribe. Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news.

Sign Up. Already a subscriber? Want more? IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Share this —. Follow better. By Nicole Spector. The Butterflies Are Really About The Birds and The Bees When I reached out to scientific experts for this story, I underscored that the focus was on a new romance or a crush rather than lust or passion.

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