Butterflies in the stomach
| Butterflies in the stomach | |
|---|---|
| Other names |
|
| Symptoms |
|
| Usual onset | Acute (during stress or excitement) |
| Duration | Transient |
| Causes |
|
| Diagnostic method | Clinical assessment |
| Differential diagnosis | |
| Prevention | Stress management |
| Treatment |
|
| Frequency | Very common |
Butterflies in the stomach is the physical sensation in humans of a "fluttery" feeling in the stomach, caused by a reduction of blood flow to the organ.[1] This is as a result of the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine in the fight-or-flight response, which causes increased heart rate and blood pressure, consequently sending more blood to the muscles.[2]
Physiology
When the brain perceives a stressful or emotionally significant situation, the sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response, prompting the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream.[3] These hormones increase heart rate and redirect blood away from the digestive system toward the muscles and heart, causing the blood vessels surrounding the stomach and intestines to constrict.[3] The resulting reduction in blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract, combined with irregular contractions of the gut muscles as normal peristalsis is disrupted, produces the characteristic fluttering sensation.[3]
Etymology
The phrase "butterflies in the stomach" first appeared in the 1908 novel The House of Prayer by American author Florence Converse, where a character is described as experiencing a feeling "as if he had a butterfly in his stomach."[4][5] The idiom has been in widespread use for over a century to describe the unsettling sensation associated with a stressful or thrilling situation.[5]
In culture
Butterflies in the stomach are usually linked in culture and language to the sentiment of love and romantic passion to a desired other. One may feel butterflies in the stomach prior to meeting or confronting a love interest due to high levels of emotion and anxiety, as hormones like adrenaline (and sometimes cortisol) may be released in such situations.[6]
It can also be a symptom of social anxiety disorder. This feeling is usually experienced before doing something important or stressful.[7][8]
See also
References
- ↑ "Why Do You Feel Butterflies in Your Stomach?". Discovery. August 1, 2019.
- ↑ Bennett, Howard (May 10, 2010). "Why do you get butterflies in your stomach?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Why Do You Feel Butterflies in Your Stomach?". Discovery. Archived from the original on 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
- ↑ Tréguer, Pascal (2021-03-22). "'butterflies in one's stomach': meaning and origin". word histories. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
- 1 2 Lai, Tzu-Ting; Liou, Chia-Wei; Tsai, Yu-Hsuan; Lin, Yuan-Yuan; Wu, Wei-Li (2023-11-28). "Butterflies in the gut: the interplay between intestinal microbiota and stress". Journal of Biomedical Science. 30 (1): 92. doi:10.1186/s12929-023-00984-6. ISSN 1423-0127. PMC 10683179. PMID 38012609.
- ↑ Pasricha, Trisha (2023-02-14). "Why Do I Feel Butterflies in My Stomach When I'm on a Date?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
- ↑ Pharmacotherapy Handbook, 9th edition by J. Dipiro., CHAPTER 66: Anxiety Disorders, Page: 675
- ↑ "Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2026-05-15.