Goosebumps, or piloerection, occur when tiny muscles at the base of hair follicles contract, causing hair to stand on end. This reflex, an evolutionary leftover, was once useful for warmth and defense, but now occurs in response to emotions or cold.
Strong emotions like fear, joy, or awe trigger adrenaline, activating the fight-or-flight response and causing goosebumps. Whether from a thrilling moment, fear, or nostalgia, the sensation is a physical reaction to intense emotional stimuli, a reminder of our evolutionary past.
