Butterflies in the stomach

{{Short description|Fluttery feeling in stomach}}

{{wiktionary|have butterflies in one's stomach}}

Butterflies in the stomach is the physical sensation in humans of a "fluttery" feeling in the stomach, caused by a reduction of blood flow to the organ. This is as a result of the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine in the fight-or-flight response, which causes increased heart rate and blood pressure, consequently sending more blood to the muscles.{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=Howard|title=Why do you get butterflies in your stomach?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/09/AR2010050902953.html|accessdate=27 January 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 10, 2010}}

Butterflies in the stomach are usually linked in culture and language to the sentiment of love and romantic passion to a desired other. One may feel butterflies in the stomach prior to meeting or confronting a love interest due to high levels of emotion and anxiety, as adrenaline and serotonin may be released when a love interest is concerned.

It can also be a symptom of social anxiety disorder. The symptom of this phenomenon is usually experienced prior to attempting to partake in something critical.Pharmacotherapy Handbook, 9th edition by J. Dipiro., CHAPTER 66: Anxiety Disorders, Page: 675