Science Of Love: That's What Love Does To Your Brain
Summary
Romantic love involves a complex series of changes in the brain's reward system that causes us to crave our loved ones.
If you've experienced the evolution from admiration to falling in love, this transition may seem to occur naturally. But have you ever wondered how we make this huge emotional leap? In other words: What changes are going on in our brains that make us fall deeply in love?
Stephanie Cassiobo, a psychologist at the University of Chicago who has studied the neuroscience of romantic love over the past decade, explains that this process involves several complex changes, particularly in the brain's reward system. More specifically, in a review of love research published in 2012, University of Utah psychologists Lisa Diamond and Jana Dickinson found that romantic love is closely associated with the activity of two brain regions, the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and the caudal nucleus. These two regions play a pivotal role in the reward pathway and regulate levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of happiness. In other words, in the early stages of love, a person misses his beloved because he makes him feel very happy.
These feelings remain over time. Our neuroimaging research, and that of others, suggests that once a person falls in love—and as long as the relationship remains satisfactory—just thinking about their partner not only makes them feel happier, but can also relieve pain, stress, and other negative emotions.
And although the early, reckless stages of romantic love may feel different from the feeling of love nurtured over the years, our brains may not necessarily perceive the difference. In a study led by Bianca Acevedo, now a researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara, participants who had been married for an average of 21.4 years and who reported still feeling love for their partner found their brains to be more active in dopamine-rich areas, such as the tectum. ventral, quite similar to the activity that appeared in the brains of those who were having early love spells.
These neural patterns of romantic love seem to be common across genders, cultures, and sexual orientations. However, not all love or desire look the same. Romantic love and platonic love, for example, may each have their own nervous character. Studies show that the neural processes responsible for the attraction and sexual desire can occur in parallel with, and sometimes overlap with, the processes that regulate romantic love, but remain significantly different from them.
However, there is no study yet that has followed the same person throughout their romantic life to see if neurological changes follow over time. Experts are currently trying to fill these gaps in our understanding of the topic. Future research is likely to aim to decouple the brain processes involved, from the first big date to years after the two lovers first uttered the word "I love you." Future research will also study the basic neural processes associated with different types of love, such as the love of family, friends, places, and things.
Love’s effects on your body
Everyone knows that love makes us feel good, but did you know that there are real scientific reasons behind it? Here are some of the most amazing and scientifically proven effects that love leaves on your mind and body.
Love is a natural dwelling for pain
"We all know that hugging consoles us and gives us a good sense," Brightside said in his report. Recent studies have shown that oxytocin, a chemical in the brain that creates a sense of calm and is released during a hug lasting 10 to 20 seconds, can effectively resist pain, especially headaches.
Just looking at the image of your dear person increases endurance and reduces pain to 40% in moderate cases and 15% in severe cases. Our brain considers the image of our partner to be a gentle distraction, making us more able to withstand any kind of pain, so this has an analgesic effect.
Scientists have also shown that sexual stimulation, especially marital intercourse, prevents pain, which is particularly effective for chronic back pain, arthritis symptoms, and convulsions.
Love takes care of your heart
Studies suggest that expressions of love halve your heart rate. This is more effective in stressful situations and reduces the long-term risk of heart disease.
Besides, oxytocin, known as the love hormone, which is believed to be one of the most amazing molecules in the world, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, reduces regular and social anxiety, promotes self-esteem, and helps us avoid and fight depression.
Love helps your body fight the disease.
Love-related movements, such as hand-holding, increase endorphin production, which in turn enhances our immune system, the website said. Similarly, people with physical conditions and those surrounded by love have a better response to treatment and a stronger incentive to fight diseases.
Love cures insomnia
The love hormones oxytocin and endorphins have to do with cortisol secretion, the hormone responsible for stress, and therefore promotes comfort naturally. It has also been scientifically proven that the "hormonal restructuring" that occurs when making love is one of the most effective treatments for a good night's sleep.
Love reduces the likelihood of addiction and the symptoms of quitting
Opiates, cocaine, nicotine, and alcohol are addictive because they affect dopamine levels in our bodies, and dopamine is the hormone responsible for the sudden rush of pleasure and fun effects.
In addition to dopamine secretion, it also promotes the release of testosterone and oxytocin, which are the best combination to avoid and control addiction.
In other words, falling in love fills your life with the pleasure and euphoria you need. But at the same time, feeling the love when fighting addiction helps you overcome the symptoms of quitting and reduces your intense desires.
Love enhances longevity
Surveys show that people in meaningful relationships are healthier and benefit from a healthy lifestyle, including food options, regular meals, better rest, and less stress.
Association also helps people treat physical conditions faster. This has basically proved that people in love tend to live longer.
Love is a psychological cure
People resort to psychotherapy for many reasons, but most of the time it's because they want someone to listen to them and understand them. Of all the world's specialists, the person most able to provide you with an effective comprehensive "treatment" is the partner you love.
Supporting loved ones and their passion is the main mental and physiological "medicine" you need to deal with phobias, depression, social anxiety, and your physical condition.
Love and meaningful relationships do not happen to us by chance, we choose to love, improve our relationships and act differently, and finally choose to be happy and stay healthy.
Psychologist Robert Sternberg says that "without the expression of love, the greatest lovers can die." Keeping that in mind, open your heart and show your love because this is the most effective way to reap more of its benefits.
Conclusion
Love - like all our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors - depends on physical processes within the mind, and on a very complex overlap between these processes.
But to say that love is "just" brain chemistry is similar to saying that Shakespeare's literary works are "just" words, that Wagner's melodies are "just" notes, that Michelangelo's artwork is "just" calcium carbonate, and that the lucky ones of us have tried to fall into it.
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