Why do our bodies get spine-tingling “chills” or “emotional shivers?” What are they?
In: Biology
I believe you’re referring to different responses that all have similar profiles. I don’t have much neurobiology under my belt, but I’ll give it a shot.
“Spine-tingling chills” are a fear response to a percieved threat. The brain releases adrenaline which is required for the fight or flight response. The chilly feeling that often comes with piloerection(hairs on end), I believe has to do with the vasoconstriction caused by the effects of the release of norepinephrine/adrenaline in the brain.
“Emotional shivers” maybe you are referring to musical frisson? Where a piece of music causes a similar “chilly” feeling and possible piloerection. I’m not very familiar with it, but I do experience it(The Wind Cries Mary, amirite?). So from here, it’s more my own conjecture than the science that I’m familiar with. It feels a lot more pleasurable than the “chills” from fear, so maybe that one is in the dopamine pathway?
Explains why dark, creepy tones with unexpected harmonies accompany scary movies. Increases the fear response by incorporating another one of the senses.
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