Was just listening to Hans Zimmer’s Time, which inspired this question.
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It’s an emotional response to stimuli.
Our ancestors were much harrier, so a perceived danger in the environment would cause our pili muscles to contract, raising our hair follicles and subsequently making us look larger than we were.
Wow today I found out what my arm tickles are. When I experience joy from anything my arms light up with energy. No goosebumps. No hair standing. Just arm tickles.
Should also be mentioned that you are one of the lucky. As I understand it, some people do not get the goose bumps electric feeling through the body from any music, ever. I feel bad for them, it’s actually so amazing.
Maybe this is a good moment for a spotify goosebump-playlist! Mine is queens of the stone age – the sky is falling, second half of the last chorus
What you’re talking about is called “frisson.” It can include goosebumps, tightness in your throat, and shivers.
First of all, it doesn’t affect everyone: somewhere between half or one in six never experience frisson. Pity them if you want.
Second, it’s because music stimulates emotions. People who experience frisson tend to experience stronger emotions in general, and especially to have stronger connections in their brain between hearing and emotions.
Thirdly, strong emotions, especially fear, anxiety, love, desire, inspiration, and nostalgia which can come from music, tells your body something strange is going on and makes you more alert and excited (not always in a positive way if it’s a horror soundtrack). Goosebumps are one of many things your body does when it becomes more actively alert to danger or desire.
one interesting tidbit i’d like to add is that i never got this feeling till after i did mushrooms. after doing them once every 2 weeks for a summer in my early 20s, i’ve had pretty intense frisson ever since and it only seems to get stronger with age.
now if i listen to music i loved in my teens, frisson. even the national anthem at a stadium gives me frisson, esp the recording with whiney houston. that one has me blubbering like a baby every time. and i’m not the least bit patriotic, so that has nothing to do with it. it’s just straight up beautiful music. get the same thing with the star wars anthem at the beginning of every film. i just get choked up, it’s so intense.
Anyone else get these with negative experiences?
I have them with good stuff like music and movje moments, but also if something triggers sad memories like recent breakups and such. It feels like the twisted negative version of the happy music frisson.
I get mine when its raining/thundering. A core shaking thundering clap and I have goosebumps and the same spine tingling orgasmic feeling in my neck
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