From: Freezer 4/12/99 12:33:05 Subject: blushing post id: 13342 what causes the blood rush to your face when you're embarrased? Freezer From: bart 4/12/99 12:52:48 Subject: re: blushing post id: 13344 vaso-dialation From: helen 4/12/99 12:55:11 Subject: re: blushing post id: 13345 just about any kind of emotional arousal activates your autonomic nervous system, which can in turn cause blushing, sweating, heart racing, etc. You probably notice the blushing more in embarrassment because it's a very self-focussed emotion, and being aware that you're blushing can actually intensify the embarrassment, and you blush more. It's most likely also an evolved response to social situations where we need to make ourselves a little subordinate in a group whose rules we've transgressed in some way: we tend to like people who show or report embarrassment more than those who sail coolly through an awkward situation without acknowledging their faux pas. From: helen 4/12/99 13:21:31 Subject: re: blushing post id: 13349 sorry, that sounds like I mean that all emotions involve blushing, which is patently not the case (or we'd never be "white as a sheet" with fright, for example). The ANS is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which have different effects on the body, and use quite different sets of neurotransmitters. The SNS uses noradrenaline/norepinephrine to dilate pupils, accelerate heartbeat, inhibit peristalsis, release glucose and speed up metabolism. The PNS uses acetylcholine to constrict puplis, slow heartbeat, and stimulate peristalsis. In the case of blushing, it's your sympathetic nervous system causing vasodilation, as Bart said, that's to blame. From: Di 4/12/99 13:25:45 Subject: re: blushing post id: 13350 I always thought that blood rushed to the parts of the body that you needed to use. *shrug* This forum is un-moderated. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual poster and not the ABC. The ABC reserves the right to remove offensive or inappropriate messages.