The hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline cause shivering in response to excitement, distress, or frightful situations.
The Role of Adrenaline and Noradrenaline in Shivering
When you experience excitement or fear, your body initiates the "fight-or-flight" response. This response is primarily driven by the release of adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) from the adrenal glands. These hormones prepare your body to either confront a threat or flee from it.
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Adrenaline and Noradrenaline: These hormones increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. According to the reference, they are also responsible for causing shivers during moments of excitement or distress. (06-Jan-2023)
- These shivers are related to thermoregulation, specifically when the body needs to generate heat to maintain core temperature.
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Fight-or-Flight Response: The release of these hormones causes the muscles to tense and relax rapidly, which generates heat. This is a biological adaptation to prepare the body for intense physical activity.
Summary
In summary, while various factors can induce shivering (such as cold temperatures), adrenaline and noradrenaline specifically trigger shivers during moments of excitement, distress or fear as part of the body's fight-or-flight response.
