7 Signs You Have A Crush, Because The Butterflies Are Real

When you have a crush, your body is typically flooded with an abundance of chemicals, such as norepinephrine, endogenous opioids, and dopamine. According to clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Rhonda Freeman, norepinephrine heightens attention levels and arousal, while endogenous opioids make a crush feel exciting, even when you’re just thinking about that person. And with the help of dopamine, your body will "crave, feel more motivated, energized, and attentive simply by the thought of [your] new mate.”

If you find yourself posting more pics than usual on IG (and hoping that a certain someone will see them), then you’re likely trying to get that person’s attention for a reason. "If you’re extroverted, you will most likely try to get there attention in some way in hopes that they will reciprocate your feelings," Silva says. And even if you're an introvert, Silva says you might find yourself making bolder moves than usual in the hopes of being noticed.

If you find you’re hyperaware of everything a certain person says and does, then there’s probs a reason you’re so attuned to them. As Dr. Freeman previously pointed out, a crush tends to heighten your awareness. “Our stress system heightens our senses and we notice everything about them: their smell, their smile, their mannerisms, their laugh, facial expressions,” she said.

Though you may usually be able to keep your cool in social situations, it’s hard not to feel tongue around a crush. If you find that you’re suddenly tripping over your words (or your feet) when a certain someone is nearby, then it’s possible you’re crushing on them. As relationship expert Susan Winter previously told Elite Daily, "We can easily lose our cool composure and become self-conscious. We may spill a drink, stumble, or get flustered in our speech."

Though some people may want to be around a crush all the time, it’s also possible you get so nervous around a certain someone that you try to avoid them all together. As Thomas Edwards, founder of The Professional Wingman, previously told Elite Daily, “Typically, [avoidance] means you’re hiding from something that might trigger you to behave in a revealing way, such as spending time with them one-on-one and mentioning them to certain people in conversation.”

Perhaps the clearest sign you’re crushing on someone (and not just as a friend) is when you can imagine yourself becoming physically intimate with that person. “I think it really comes down to just one thing: if you want to sleep with them,” Andrea Amour, founder and dating coach at UpDate Coaching, previously told Elite Daily. “If you think about kissing, dancing with, or sleeping with someone, your brain's telling you that you're attracted to them, and thus are more likely into them as a romantic partner, not just a friend.”

Yes, that feeling of butterflies flapping their wings in their stomach is def a sign you’re crushing hard. According to Silva, “Behavior gives it away all the time. Increased adrenaline levels [are] what makes you start to sweat, your heart race, ‘butterflies in your stomach,’ and/or your mouth going dry whenever you are around the person.”