what is actually happening psychologically/physiologically when you have a “gut feeling” about something?
In: Biology
short answer: it’s your subconscious triggering a mild fight or flight response.
long answer: the always watching and listening backseat driver of your brain did notice something that the front seat driver missed because it was too distracted with the traffic. unfortunately, that backseat driver can’t speak very loud, so sometimes to get that driver’s attention, it will kick the back of the driver’s seat. sometimes stronger, sometimes only gentle.
that kick then will get that driver’s attention that there might be something wrong and to get ready to either drive away from any danger or to drive toward it and face it.
**edit because some people asked for more specifics:**
when you are in a fight or flight situation, no matter if you are aware of it or not, then your body is in distress. that causes a part of your brain, the hypothalamus, to signal an organ called adrenal gland to release a hormone called adrenaline to give your body some extra strength, so you can either run faster or fight harder.
among other things that adrenaline will cause your bowels to contract and your bloodvessel to expand which is what that stomach sensation basically is and why some people will literally shit themself when into a high-stress situation.
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