The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week Check it out: 'Ask Us Anything' from Popular Science. On this episode, GOOSEBUMPS
9 snips
Nov 12, 2025 Discover the fascinating science behind goosebumps, from their biological triggers to their role in animal survival. Learn how emotions like fear and awe can spark this unique response in humans. Dive into the origins of the term and whether birds experience them too. The discussion includes a special feature with R.L. Stine, who shares insights on the title of his famous series and hints at his upcoming thriller. It's an entertaining exploration of a curious human phenomenon!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Personal Goosebump Triggers
- Sarah Dern reports getting goosebumps on airplanes when seeing the world from above and during big sports moments like the Olympics.
- She also mentions childhood fears from watching Unsolved Mysteries that still trigger goosebumps when she senses danger.
How Goosebumps Physically Occur
- Goosebumps (piloerection) happen when tiny erector pili muscles contract and pull hair follicles upright.
- The autonomic nervous system triggers this reflex automatically in response to cold or threat cues.
Evolutionary Purpose Of The Reflex
- In cold, raised hairs trap air to insulate furrier ancestors, making the reflex adaptive for warmth.
- When afraid, the same reflex made ancestors look bigger to deter predators, so it persists even with less body hair.
