• Question: Why do I blush when I'm embaressed?

    Asked by harrystylesgirlfriend to Mike, Pip, Tianfu, Tim, Tom on 27 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Philippa Bird

      Philippa Bird answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      Ooh, interesting question.
      I would imagine it is a response to adrenaline (the hormone that gives you “fight or flight response”), or some sort of stress hormone. Both can give you red flushes as side effects of their actual function, which is to keep you calm or spur you into action in a tricky situation. Obviously some people get this and some don’t, which is why not everyone blushes. Blame your genes!

    • Photo: Tom Lister

      Tom Lister answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      The blood vessels in your skin open up and fill with blood. You skin can have about 5 times as much blood in it when you are blushing, compared to when you are not.

      Why does this happen? Must have been some advantage to it when socialising in small tribes or something – perhaps flushing to show anger which is that same adrenaline kick Pip mentioned?

    • Photo: Tim Stephens

      Tim Stephens answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      Good answers. I’ve learnt something new!

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