What Is It Called When Your Facial Blood Vessels Dilate?

What Is It Called When Your Facial Blood Vessels Dilate?

Humans have a wide range of emotions. It is very easy to tell when someone is happy because they are smiling. People cry tears when they are sad. What happens when people are embarrassed or flirting? Rushes of adrenaline cause the blood vessels in the face to dilate. What is this called?

The Answer!

The correct answer is blushing! We hope you knew that one, and if not you are definitely blushing now. Don’t worry, we can’t see your face through a computer screen! Your body reacts to emotion by releasing adrenaline. The blood vessels in your cheeks dilate, to open for the passage of more blood than usual. The blood rising to the surface of your skin causes the reddish color. Since there are more capillaries under the skin of your lips, this is why your lips have a reddish tint.

Cartoons like to exaggerate blushing by drawing the characters as having too giant red circles on their face. Unfortunately, in real life, it is easy to tell when someone is uncomfortable with your outward physiological responses. Some social scientists reason that this is actually a helpful trait. Humans are very social creatures and have social cues amongst ourselves. Blushing helps to identify to others that we feel embarrassment, shame, or even flirtatious.

Sometimes when people drink, their face becomes flush. This is also an association with blushing. People can tell when someone may have had too much to drink.

Final Thoughts?

Did you find yourself blushing while reading this post? When you get embarrassed or nervous, do you find yourself blushing or turning red? Does it ever also make you laugh? Have you ever blushed at an inappropriate time? Comment below if you want to reveal your most embarrassing stories!