Reason Someone Feels 'Butterflies In My Stomach' When Falling In Love

Illustration of falling in love. (Pexels/Vija Rindo Pratama)

JAKARTA - When you fall in love or secretly admire someone, classic sensations usually appear, namely butterflies in my stomach or butterhead in the stomach.

Of course the term doesn't describe a butterfly in the real stomach. It's a picture of palpitation and amusement, it's like something is flooding in the stomach, because it's in love.

This sensation is not just imagination. There are physiological reasons why your stomach can 'fly' every time you are near someone you like, or a new partner, or even a long-standing couple.

Clinical psychologist, Alexandra H. Solomon, said that the sensation arose because of various triggers. Starting from within and from small interactions with people you like.

Shadows of a first date, unexpected praise, or just touching hands can create such sensations, such as adrenaline boosts and nervousness.

"It creates a sensation like an adrenaline boost as well as a nervous taste," said Alexandra, quoted from Shape, on Monday, November 24, 2025.

The release of the norepinephrine can also be a cause of the sensation of butter in the stomach. This substance functions as a good hormone as well as a neurotransmitter when the body experiences stress or attraction.

The brain also has difficulty distinguishing between fear and passion, so that the body's reaction can be similar to palpitations, the body is more vigilant, appetite drops, until a sensation appears on the stomach.

This response is actually part of the fight-or-fight mechanism. However, in the context of falling in love, the effect actually helps a person to appear more impressive in front of a liked person or partner.