Why do you get a dry mouth when you get scared?

When you get scared, your body activates the "fight or flight" response, triggering the release of stress hormones like adrenaline. This response prioritizes essential functions for survival, diverting blood flow away from non-essential systems like saliva production. As a result, your mouth may feel dry due to reduced saliva secretion, making it harder to swallow or speak when you're anxious or frightened.