You may have heard that it is to protect you from the cold, while that is partially right, the answer goes a lot deeper!

Goosebumps
Goosebumps – Adobe Stock Images

Goosebumps Origins

Goosepimples or goosebumps come from the appearance of poultry skin once defeathered. One could call is ‘Chickenbumps’ or ‘Duckbumps’. For some reason they stuck with Goosebumps instead.

We all get goosebumps and almost all of us associate it with being cold and getting the ‘chills’. The theory then goes that goosebumps raise your hair to trap more heat in and fend off cold, but that is untrue! If anything, raising your hair lets in more cold. Have you ever wondered why you get goosebumps watching a horror movie? Or watching something awe inspiring? Or seeing something creepy or grotesque that… well…. gives you goosebumps?

Goosebumps Raising Hair
Goosebumps Raising Hair – Adobe Stock images

So Why Do We Get Goosebumps?

Goosebumps are little elevations in the skin, raising your hair, caused by a release of adrenaline in your body according to ScientificAmerican. This makes sense when you think about it and is passed down from our early animal ancestors. This release of adrenaline is your body preparing you for something drastic that you may need a boost of energy to get away from a predator and a particularly dangerous situation. This also works to warm your body by sending adrenaline and energy to give you a boost of warmth when you suddenly feel a chill or cold.

The reason why your hair also stands up is a defense mechanism to make you seem bigger than you really are. Think of when a cat is is in fight mode, their tail and back goes all fluffy making them appear bigger. Same thing with lizards and snakes like cobras, usually buffing up to seem larger than they really are.

Goosebumps with no hair
Goosebumps with no hair – Adobe Stock Images

Goosebumps when listening to a song?

You may then ask why you get goosebumps when remembering a very fond memory, or from listening to a particular piece of music that inspires you.

This stems from the fact that we don’t have predators we encounter day to day anymore. Goosebumps came about with any sudden and drastic change to our emotions. This used to be because of dangers we notice through our senses. Nowadays, instead of a sabre tooth tiger leaping out and causing an heightened emotion reaction, it is now a song that suddenly inspired you or a scary scene in a horror movie.

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