Our body is our temple. However, most people are unaware of many of the characteristics of human physiology. There are many interesting facts about the human body that deserve to be known. The skin is the largest organ in the human body. There are many fascinating things about this organ. For example, when we feel goosebumps, the phenomenon popularly known as “goose bumps” is generated. Surely you have already felt this reaction on your skin, right? So, find out the reason why the goosebumps sensation happens.
What does it mean to have goosebumps…
This feeling happens often. The phenomenon can arise for different reasons. The shiver can be pleasant or unpleasant. The feeling cannot be controlled. Apparently, it has no purpose. It can happen when it’s cold, when someone touches us, when they kiss us on the neck, or simply because we feel a breeze.
It can also happen with noise. For example, after hearing the sound of passing chalk on a blackboard, this gesture can give you goosebumps. This effect also happens when the knife scrapes the plate.
The same phenomenon can still happen when we are in the cinema watching a romantic film and we get involved in the story. Horror films can also generate a similar effect.
The expression chicken skin comes from the medical definition goosebumps for goosebumps. Now, skin it’s skin and geese It’s goose. When birds are plucked (regardless of the species: goose, chicken or other), they have skin that looks the same as ours when we shiver.
Skin characteristics
Our skin is made up of three layers, namely epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Each of the layers of skin on the human body performs different functions.
The hypodermis consists of the layer with a key role in the “chicken skin” reaction. The functions of this layer are nutrition and caloric exchange of the human body. The hypodermis contains sweat glands, adipose tissue, hair follicles and fine muscles.
The famous “chicken skin” occurs when the fine muscles contract, causing the body hair to rise.
A scientific explanation
What people call chicken skin consists of a strange presentation of the hair. They stand upright. Furthermore, the skin around the hair has an upward arched shape. Therefore, this strange sensation is often described as if something is moving through the body.
The phenomenon of crow’s skin is seen by dermatologists as a horripilation or hairy erection. Horripilation consists of the erection of hair and the sensation of chills. This sensation can be generated by fright, repulsion or cold.
A book on the topic
Yael Adler is the author of the book “The Fascinating World of Skin”. This researcher and dermatologist argues that there is a small muscle responsible for lifting hair in each hair follicle (which consists of the structure that produces hair).
It is the neurovegetative system that triggers this action. Therefore, people cannot control chicken skin consciously. This book also has an explanation for the goosebump sensation developed in the body.
According to this expert, “when we get chicken skin, the total surface of our skin increases a little, which means that we can lose more heat and sweat more”.
This explanation is present in this work that presents some of the mysteries of “O Fascinante Mundo da Pele”, by Lua de Papel.
A scientific investigation
A study carried out in recent years and based on music festivals concluded that having goosebumps is also associated with a happier and healthier life. The objective of the research was to find out whether the feeling of goosebumps was related to each person’s health and personality.
The experiment involved 100 people who attended festivals held in Leeds and Reading, England. The physiological responses of people at the festivals were analyzed by a team of researchers.
Their reactions to the music at two different festivals were analyzed by Matthew Sachs () and Robin Murphy (University of Oxford). The researchers concluded that people who felt more goosebumps were more likely to bond with others compared to people who didn’t react that way to the music.
The same conclusion was drawn about the greater probability of becoming more successful professionally throughout life and being healthier.
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