Science Involved In Love

Introduction:

From philosopher and historians to poets and scientists, love has captured over imagination and curiosity for centuries. Many have experienced the rush of falling in love. Now let's see the real meaning of love in a biological point of view.


In 1999 scientists found out that first year of being in love is a maniac state. Which means that if you suffer from love anti-depressant can help you. 

The phrase 'love is blind' is a valid notion because we tend to idealize our partner and see only things that we want to see in the early stages of the relationship.

Chemicals involved in love


Secretions of some substances like dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine increases when two people fall in love. Dopamine creates feelings of euphoria while adrenaline and norepinephrine are responsible for the pitter-patter of the heart, restlessness and overall preoccupation that go along with experiencing love.

MRI scans indicate that love lights up the pleasure center of the brain. When we fall in love, blood flow increases in this area, which is the same part of the brain implicated in obsessive-compulsive behaviors

there are three stages of love, and each is driven to a degree by a particular set of chemicals.  There is a lot of chemistry involved in feeling attachment, sweaty palms, mental unstability, etc. now take a look at some of the key biochemical players:

Stage 1-attraction:

This is a common thing among the group of teenagers, generally we get attracted towards the opposite sex and we think that it's our true love.  But actually these are just chemical reactions inside our brain. 

chemicals associated with attraction can make you feel dreamy. On the other hand, they can make you feel anxious or obsessive. People who are in this early phase of "falling in love" may even sleep less or lose their appetite!

Testosterone and estrogen are generated as a result of messages from the hypothalamus of the brain. Testosterone is a very potent aphrodisiac. Estrogen can make women more libidinous around the time they ovulate (when estrogen levels are at their peak).

Dopamine - The initial giddiness that comes when we're first falling in love includes a racing heart, flushed skin and sweaty palms. Researchers say this is due to the dopamine, norepinephrine we're releasing. Dopamine is thought to be the "pleasure chemical," producing a feeling of bliss. Norepinephrine is similar to adrenaline and produces the racing heart and excitement.


Phenylethylamine or PEA - This is a chemical that naturally occurs in the brain and is also found in some foods, such as chocolate. It is a stimulant, that causes the release of norepinephrine and dopamine. This chemical is released when you are falling in love. It's responsible for the head-over-heels, elated part of love.

Stage 2-attachment:

Now that you're really committed to someone else, chemicals help you stay connected.

Oxytocin - Dopamine triggers the release of oxytocin, which is sometimes called the 'cuddle hormone'. In both genders, oxytocin is released during touching. In women, oxytocin is released during labor and breastfeeding.

Serotonin - A chemical that is more prevalent among people with compulsive disorders, serotonin can increase our dependence on another person.

stage 3-Deep understanding:



This is the final stage of love in which the personal understanding with each other reaches the ultimate level. Thereby a tendency is created, which reflects a divine love that doesn't possess any greed and need.

Endorphins - Your brain acquires a tolerance to the love stimulants and starts to release endorphins. Endorphins are associated with feelings of attachment and comfort. Endorphins are like opiates. They calm anxiety, relieve pain and reduce stress.

It's  the fact that anything you experience in love will now more easily set off pleasure centres and make you feel good. Because of this you not only fall in love with with the person, but begin to build a romanticised view of the world around you. Interestingly nearby pain and aversion goes away, so you become less bother by things. Simply we can say that we love being in love. 


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