Why We Feel Butterflies In The Stomach

Feeling like your stomach is flipping from excitement?
Why we feel butterflies in the stomach when we fall in love, how it is connected to the brain gut connection, in what way this unpleasant feeling can serve us in a job interview and what we can do to control it better.

1. Butterflies in the stomach are a feeling of vibration or flutter in the stomach that occurs in situations of anxiety, excitement or intense anticipation, such as before an important date or an interview for a significant position.
   Although the feeling can be a little strange and sometimes unpleasant, in general it is mostly a natural physiological response supported by scientific explanations.
   
2. This feeling demonstrates the connection between the brain and our stomach. This connection has received great interest recently due to a collection of updated studies that indicate that not only is the brain important to the stomach but also the opposite is true and a healthy gut is essential for a healthy brain. In fact science today refers to two brains. The first brain which is in the skull and the second brain which is in the stomach. The gut is the only organ in our body that also has its own independent nervous system. It can perform basic functions without instruction from the brain and communicates with the brain constantly in what is called the brain gut connection.
   
3. A demonstration of this connection was shown already in the 1950s.
   This was by A, a gastroenterologist who conducted an experiment on one of his students.
   He used a sigmoidoscope to look into the large intestine of the volunteer. During the test the researchers gave the subject false findings and told him there was concern for cancer. At that moment they saw the large intestine begin to change its color and contract. After they revealed the prank and the volunteer understood the test was normal, the large intestine calmed and returned to its normal state. This experiment paved the way to understanding the complex two way relationship between body and mind, between the brain in the skull and the one in the stomach.
   
4. Every person can experience butterflies in the stomach a little differently.
   Sometimes with symptoms typical of anxiety such as increased heart rate, trembling, nervousness, sweaty hands, dizziness, shortness of breath and more.
   
5. Butterflies in the stomach, if they appear in moderation, can give us an opportunity to focus on something positive.
   Excitement and even moderate anxiety allow us to prepare well for a challenge such as a job interview and gather our strength for successful coping with the task.
   
6. The evolutionary explanation for this phenomenon comes from the fight or flight response.
   This is an ancient survival mechanism of the body preparing us to deal with a challenge or to flee to safety.
   When we are in danger the autonomic nervous system prepares us for this response and instructs the release of the hormone adrenaline.
   This hormone can expand blood vessels near the heart and lungs to fill the muscles with oxygen and at the same time narrow the blood vessels in the gut so less blood reaches the stomach. This is why it is hard to eat when we are anxious or very excited. In some people significant excitement can cause nausea or even vomiting. This is a temporary change and after the body calms the strange feeling passes and appetite returns.
   
7. The physiological changes during fight or flight are also connected to falling in love.
   These changes allow us to focus all our attention on the person in front of us and gather all our energy to impress him or her.
   Anxiety and excitement can be similar and therefore butterflies may be connected to romantic feelings.
   
8. Some experts believe that the absence of butterflies in a new relationship is a warning sign that you are with the wrong person.
   But according to B, a psychiatrist and brain scientist, the feeling of butterflies in the stomach during falling in love does not signal eternal love.
   Usually it is a response to sexual desire or temporary love. Falling in love activates brain centers that cause the heart rate to rise, the hands to become cold and sweaty and the stomach to flip.
   
9. The more aware you are of your emotional state the better you can regulate the reaction of the stomach.
   The next time your intestines begin to flip before a meeting or exam remember it is the second brain responding to your emotion.
   Awareness will help regulate the reaction and use it for your benefit.
   
10. You can calm the butterflies in the stomach with relaxation techniques.
    Breathing exercises, walking in nature and meditation can calm the stomach.
    
11. If the butterflies do not pass and cause extreme discomfort see a doctor.
    They may indicate a severe emotional state or a digestive disorder expressed with additional symptoms such as weight change, nausea, vomiting and ongoing stomach pain.
    It is recommended to see a doctor for diagnosis and proper treatment.