The Science of Love and Romance
Via: BBC Science Focus Magazine
Have you ever wondered what in the world is going on when you feel that warm fuzzy feeling? Today we are going into the lab with love and romance to find out more about the science of love and romance to answer this very question!
Chemicals of Love
Via: The Collegian
The chemicals which drive our emotional reaction to feel or think about certain things that we experience are what cause us to experience the physical effects of love. These chemicals are what cause our hearts to beat rapidly, for our eyes to grow, our bodies to sweat, and our speech to stammer! All the delightful things about being in love.
So essentially these are what drive the science of love!
What does A Love Chemical Do?
Via love-chemistry
Lust-Powered Love
Attraction-Powered Love
Attachment-Powered Love
The Three Stages of Love
Via: harvard.edu
Studies have shown that there are three stages of love that are triggered by different chemicals released in the brain and body. This does not mean that this is the only way people love as some people only experience part of these events before they fall in love.
What are these chemicals and stages?
- Love of attraction: Love stimulates attraction at first glance if we are looking at it from a romantic point of view. When we fall in love our brain causes a rise in dopamine, norephedrine, and serotonin chemicals which each have their own special effects!
- Love of attachment: Then as the love deepens and you form an emotional attachment it triggers other chemicals including Oxytocin and Vasopressin. This is where you’ll form those lifelong bonds with a partner.
What Happens to your Brain?
When people are madly in love it is found that the brain releases tonnes of dopamine which makes people feel pleasure and happiness. Essentially it is an activation of the brain’s reward system so that if something makes you feel good, you will want more and more of it! This is the first spark, which then leads to other chemical reactions in the brain which help develop the emotional attachment to a person.
The brain commands the whole body and so when it tells you that you are in love it will order other parts of your body to express these feelings even if you are not aware of the physical effects. This physical response is likely a way nature evolved to make it easier for potential mates to see your attraction to them before even a word is spoken.
What Happens to your Heart?
Via: Harvard Gazette
In biology, love is all about chemicals and so what happens to different parts of our body requires a lot of different biological explosions. When you fall in love your heart speeds up and pumps blood quicker around the body, triggering an adrenaline shot of happiness and making you feel magical! Some scientists say the heart is closely tied to the brain so any extreme emotion like love can cause it to work overtime, often depicted in cartoons as leaping out of our chest cavities trying to touch the object of our affections.
What Happens to the Eyes?
Via: socialigence.net
What Other Effects of Love Occur?
Via: herway.net
There are soo many ways in which love and romance affects the body, mind and soul! It is not simply physical influences, but also love helps reduce stress over a long period of time. If you are hungry for some relief you can find yourself someone to love!
One of the downsides to feeling love is that you might find you don’t want to eat as much. Although this too could also be a benifit if you are trying to loose weight. So perhaps loving is a great way to get started in a diet!
Another thing would is great about love is that you have more confidence as you feel enriched by the experience of love for another person and if they too feel the same way it is as if nothing else matters in the world. Why worry about what others might think? Get out there and live your dreams as you only live once!
Final Remarks
Via: The Huffington Post
This is a very brief introduction to the science of love and romance. You can see that love has soo many benefits to our life regardless of whether it is for a romantic relationship or just love between friends or family. You offer a part of yourself when you make the commitment to love and you live a much richer life. Why be lonely? Get out there and spread love!
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