I hear that both happen due to the fight-or-flight response. How can this be? Was I misinformed?
In: Biology
Blanching is caused by vasoconstriction- your blood vessels in the skin contract to force blood to your essential organs and muscles where it is most needed typically in a fight or flight situation. This is caused by adrenaline and cortisol release – 2 hormones which the brain triggers in stress.
Blushing is a little more complex and not fully understood. It occurs mainly in emotionally stressful situations (embarrassment etc), and is hypothesised to be a rebound of the typical fight or flight situation where a physical response is not possible as described causing vasodilation- blood vessels expanding.
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