I think most people will know what I mean when I talk about the sensation of a pleasant shiver running down the spine. Nothing to do with being cold - everything to do with a welcome release of tension.
In my own case, these were always very rare - as in once a year if I was lucky. But since I started meditating (and especially since I started calming the Thought Monkeys) I'm getting these shivers several time a day.
I wondered about the physical cause of such shivers, and I assumed there'd be lots of info on the Net, but all I can find is an article on something called Post-Micturation Convulsion Syndrome!
Post-micturition convulsion syndrome, also colloquially known as piss shivers or pee shivers, is a phenomenon in which one feels a shiver running down the spine following urination. The shiver can produce a brief twitch, which is a form of myoclonus. It should not be confused with post-micturition syncope, a feeling of faintness following passing urine.
To date, despite years of discussion and theorizing, there is no agreed-on explanation of the phenomenon and no medical research into it. However, it has been mentioned occasionally in columns, and in one Internet poll, where about 83% of males and 58% of females reported experiencing it. By 6 Jul 2007, more than 24,000 males and more than 1,200 females had responded to the poll on the syndrome.
To date, despite years of discussion and theorizing, there is no agreed-on explanation of the phenomenon and no medical research into it. However, it has been mentioned occasionally in columns, and in one Internet poll, where about 83% of males and 58% of females reported experiencing it. By 6 Jul 2007, more than 24,000 males and more than 1,200 females had responded to the poll on the syndrome.
Not what I'm talking about at all. I don't think I've ever experienced that one - although I live in hope.
Anyone got info on the physiological casuses of Pleasant Shivering?
Posts
Could your relaxed state be bringing on visions as in Crime & Punishment where Dostoyjevsky writes:
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/nyd4vj ?
Years ago at yoga, I had an out-of-body experience which was cool, and sort of shivery. Another time the hairs on my forearms stood up with pleasure - that last was when JTH gave me a blurb. And the hair thing sometimes happens when I'm feeling telepathic or is that telepathetic?
Who knows, Merc? I'm a sceptic when it comes to anything supernatural - but I know for a fact the meditation thing is having a measurable, real-world, physical affect on my ancient body.
ReplyDeleteI have the same experience John. I've been getting them for around a year now, and I have been meditating for a few months.
ReplyDeleteThey originally started coming when I felt a strong happy emotion, basically when I experienced beauty. Now they happen all the time! I like them!!
Robert
I get the same type of shiver. They are pleasant, but happen to me very randomly at times. I can also induce them, cause them to happen, but only once or twice at a time. After that, if I keep trying, I become obsessed, like I'm about to make it happen again, but it just doesn't. It's very weird...
ReplyDeleteDitto for me, partner. Pretty sure that's because whatever chemicals are involved need to be replenished in order for it to happen again. Set a clock and do it every hour, and maybe you'll experience a diminished response. I can't do it when I'm stressed or upset, and it happens naturally when I'm really at peace or profoundly happy.
DeleteI figure it has something to do with endorphins, which perhaps originate at the pituitary gland or pineal gland. That's this layman's hypothesis though, based mostly on those particular endocrine glands' location in the body (at the top of the spine) where the shiver sensation originates. If I were to consider an opposite sensation, I'd think of the adrenal response, a well-known effect of other endocrine glands(the adrenal glands).
Having experienced both "happy shivers" and "piss shivers", I'd say they must be the same thing - the urinary version being triggered by some physiological factor, most likely relaxation of the urinary system near the base of the spine.
Just looking at others' comments it's clear the "happy shivers" relate to a sense of peace, happiness, calm, and relaxation.
Live and shiver,
Mike
I just googled "pleasant shivers" and found this post. I've been curious about it for years, because it is so pleasant, but I have absolutely no ability to induce it myself.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that it occurs when someone is helping me with something, or showing me something, or doing something for me. Weird.
I would like to hear more about the meditation people are doing that seems to be inducing it. Anyone care to share more?
I've experienced something really similar. It tends to occur when all my thoughts kind of go away for a bit, as when I'm staring at a particularly lovely twilight.
ReplyDeleteOh - I see I've missed a few comments. Ahem. Sorry, peeps.
ReplyDeleteGlad others get them. I can now, three years on, induce them at will by doing what Eckhart Tolle calls 'sensing the inner body'.
Still no idea of the physiological causes, though.
If I can learn how to do the same thing with orgasms, I'll be a Happy Chappy!
ReplyDeleteI get these shivers whenever I see the face of this one specific girl! It's never happened with anything else! :P
ReplyDeleteI usually get them when I am starting to fall asleep, they happen 3-6 times and also randomly throughout the day when I'm relaxed. I also meditate a lot, and they do happen sometimes when I meditate.
ReplyDeleteThey happen to me when I'm drifting off to sleep. They come in waves of 3-4. They feel great so I'm not complaining and they happen every few days or so. They first started a few years back when I was diagnosed with CIDP (a nerve condition) so I just assumed that's what was causing it, but no one knew what I was talking about when I tried to describe it. Glad I'm not alone:)
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisson
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