Goosebumps are the temporary little bumps that appear on your skin surface as the hairs stand erect. A sudden cold breeze or an inspiring speech can cause goosebumps to pop up all over your skin. Why do we get them?
In humans, the formation of goosebumps is considered to be a vestigial reflex, that is a reflex that has lost its original function in the course of evolution. When our ancestors had long body hair, goosebumps helped them keep wan during cold weather. A body full of raised hair also scared off predators, It still occurs in many mammals – the porcupine for instance, raises its quills when threatened.
Goosebumps are triggered by the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for many fight-or-flight responses. They cause the tiny muscles at the base of each hair, known as arrector pili muscles, to contract, causing the hair to stand on end. This fight-or-flight response can also be triggered when you have intense emotions towards something, such as an emotional speech.
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