Goosebumps are caused by the nervous system during fight or flight response, cold, sexual arousal, or illness. It is a benign condition that occurs in many animals and has no use in humans. It can also be caused by withdrawal from certain medications and recreational drugs.
Goose flesh, more commonly called goosebumps, is a condition in which the skin at the base of individual hairs stands up or appears swollen, giving the skin a bumpy appearance. It is generally caused by the nervous system during the fight or flight response or during times of cold, sexual arousal, or sometimes illness. Once the stimulant is finished, the skin usually returns to normal.
When the muscles under the hairs contract, the result is that every single hair stands on end. It seems that bumps appear under them, and the skin takes on a bumpy or spiky appearance. The skin may also feel stiffer to the touch. This is a benign condition and causes no harm to the body. There is no way to reduce the appearance of goosebumps other than warming the skin or removing the threat, or supposed threat, causing the response.
The term goose meat comes from the fact that geese have a similar patchy appearance on the skin where the feathers have been removed. For geese, this is a permanent state and is not caused by a stimulant. Many animals, including geese, also have the same skin response when they are frightened or threatened or when they are cold. However, goosebumps have necessary functions when shown in wildlife, while in humans they are of little use.
Most mammals have the goose meat response, as do some birds and other species. This is to keep them warm by forming a layer of insulation around the body by trapping warm air. Even animals with thick fur can show this response when threatened because it makes them appear larger, helping to repel enemies. These explanations are only hypotheses as to why this occurs, and it is entirely unknown why goosebumps occur in humans, although it may stem from prehistoric man’s need to appear larger against predators.
There are some diseases that goose meat can cause as well, including brain tumors and epilepsy. If goosebumps start to appear without explanation, it’s a good idea to get examined by a doctor. This is especially concerning if other symptoms are present.
Sometimes withdrawal from certain medications and recreational drugs can also cause gooseflesh to appear. Heroin and opiates are two examples. This is generally a temporary condition that goes away once the drugs are out of the system or the user takes a dose of the drug. Other symptoms are also usually evident.
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