When you purchase through link on our site , we may earn an affiliate commission . Here ’s how it work .
Scientists have in conclusion reckon out what cause blushing — and they cracked the computer code by intentionally placing their study volunteer in embarrassing situations .
In an unconventional new study , published July 17 in the journalProceedings of the Royal Society B , researchers asked 40 adolescent girls and young women to sing karaoke while being filmed . The field of study volunteers sang four notoriously difficult - to - babble melody : " All I Want for Christmas Is You " by Mariah Carey ; " All the Things You Said " by t. A.T.u . ; " Hello " by Adele ; and " Let It Go " from Disney ’s " Frozen . "
Until now, little was known about the underlying neural mechanisms behind blushing, despite how common it is.
After the recording session , the research worker scanned the volunteers ' brain using function magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) , which indirectly measures brain action by tracking lineage flow through the harmonium . During the fMRI , the participants were shown the recordings of their singing , as well as that of another participant who sang at a like grade to them . They also watched recordings of a professional singer of a similar age performing the songs .
Related:‘Flow state ' uncovered : We finally know what happen in the Einstein when you ’re ' in the zona '
To make things potentially more awkward , researchers also secernate the participants that an audience would watch their own transcription with them .
In addition to monitoring the action of neurons in the participants’brains , the researchers measured how much the temperature of the volunteers ' cheeks increase — an indicator of their level of blushing .
The team find the volunteers blushed more when they were watching themselves versus other mass sing . And overall , the more a person blush , the greater the bodily process of neuron in their cerebellum . The cerebellum is a region of the brain thatcontrols movement and coordination . However , recent research suggest it may also be involved inemotional processing , among other functions . Specifically , the researchers image in high spirits energizing in part of the cerebellum hollo lobule V , which has previously been show to play arole in emotion .
Another brain region that lit up in participant who blushed while keep an eye on themselves was one involved in the early stage of visual processing . The researchers say this imply that blushing is tied not only to emotional processing but also to brain circuits that help oneself direct a person ’s care . In other words , flush - inducing videos of a given player seemed to pique that person ’s attention more than TV of others , they theorize .
On the flip side , the team did n’t find any association between blushing and the energizing of so - called eminent - order brainiac regions — the parts of the brain that enable us to complete complex cognitive tasks , includingmaking sensation of oneself and others .
" Based on this we reason that think about others ' thoughts may not be necessary for blushing to occur , '’ principal study authorMilica Nikolic , an assistant prof in developmental psychopathology at the University of Amsterdam , say in astatement . " Blushing may be a part of the automatic arousal you find when you are expose and there is something that is relevant to the self , " Nikolic allege .
The research worker added in their paper that blushing may be " trip by a sudden surge of alertness when socially exposed . " They reason that it ’s likely a spontaneous emotional reaction rather than something that arises from higher self - reflection , such as actively believe about how others comprehend you .
The squad admit several restriction of the study . For example , they evaluated redden only by looking at changes in cheek temperature . Using additional metrics , such as valuate lineage flow in the face , could allow more detail about this procedure .
Going forward , the team wishes to study blushing under different scenarios and in more various cohorts . One potential enquiry avenue would be to see whether the same findings can be replicated in unseasoned children who have not yet developed more - complex cognitive skills .
— Most detailed human brain map ever contains 3,300 cell type
— Magic mushrooms temporarily ' dissolve ' brain internet responsible for sense of self
— ' This is what drive the migraine headache ' : Scientists uncover ' miss link ' in why some migraines happen
read more about how blushing arises may also shine a light on why some masses with anxiety disorder grow a care of blushing , they said .
" When we understand the mechanisms of blushing , we can place the reverence of blush intimately as well , " Nikolic enjoin .
Ever question whysome people build muscle more easy than othersorwhy lentigo make out out in the sun ? charge us your questions about how the human body crop tocommunity@livescience.comwith the capable cable " Health Desk Q , " and you may see your question answered on the site !
