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# Automatic, subconscious and instant

Reflex actions are our bodies way to preserve itself without the lag time of conscious thought, when split seconds are the determining factor between life and death... or severe injury.

### Goosebumps are one of those reflexes... but how does it help save us from impending doom?

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Personal protection, when the hairs stand up they and the skin, become more sensitive to touch.  The sensory nerve system is therefore more active to reflexively pull away from dangers.  If you are in the dark and frightened, the hairs stand up as a way to gain the extra sensory input... feelers if you will.  Feeling and keeping you away or alerted to what you can not see.  Like a blind person gaining better hearing or smell, the body and brain naturally compensate.
 
https://steemit.com/health/@kyusho/the-first-receptor
 
https://steemit.com/health/@kyusho/the-protective-suit-201727t51948862z
 
A good scare or emotional connection can send chills down your spine, raise the hairs and skin on your body.  

# But Why?
 
Goosebumps are those the little bumps on your skin at the base of your hairs that spring up involuntarily whenever you get cold or experience strong emotions, like fear, pleasure or surprise. They also have a scientific name: kutis ansterina.
 
This phenomenon is a reflex, which is an action your body has automatically without you even thinking about it, known as the pilomotor reflex. 

The pilomotor reflex in animals also serves to make animal look larger to hopefully scare away the potential enemie that caused the fear reaction in the first place.

Now we humans aren't the only critters that have this reaction.  It is similar to when porcupines are threatened, their quills raise in a reflex action.  You may also have seen this occur on your cat's or dog's hairs when they sense danger or feel afraid.

# Temperature
 
Your Goosebumps also rise when you get cold or experience a strong emotion, as your brain sends signals to your muscles that make them tighten up or tense.  When these muscles tighten, the hairs stand up and pull your skin up just at the base, thus creating the goosebumps
 
This reflex also helps to get the muscles warmed up and reduce heat loss, which helps the body warm up when it's cold.
 
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</div> Good Health – Evan Pantazi  
#Kyusho
 
Image Credit: gettyimages, homealone