Eli5:what muscles are responsible for the cringe sensation? Why does your body react the way it does when such an event occurs?
In: Biology
It kind of feels like pain. I might make a wincing face when cringing. I’ve heard that emotions like disgust although highly symbolic it is “felt” in our guts. Broken heart syndrome is felt as pain in the chest often confused with a heart attack. Perhaps the cringe emotion is processed highjacking the pain receptors. Perhaps we can use language as clues. I think of bombing (on stage) and getting burned as cringe worthy. Both are painful: getting burned and exploding. Maybe cringe highjacks our nevous system?
Edit: I’m just a human not a scientist.
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