Unveiling the science behind love

 

What is love? (Pyaar kya hai?) Almost every Bollywood movie asks this question. 

I am not sure if you will find this answer in any Bollywood movie or not. But today, you will. 


In a nutshell, love is science. 

The idea of being in love can be divided into three different yet intertwined categories: 

(i) Sexual desire

(ii)  Infatuation

(iii) Attachment


Love is powerful force, it can be both, joyous and dangerous. Love is often associated with the heart, however, the foundation of love is rooted in the brain. Ye sab Dil da mamla nahi hai dilbar, dimag ka mamla hai. Our sensations of love and attachment are significantly shaped by a number of hormones and neurotransmitters. 


Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/science-technology/what-is-love-here-s-the-science--57055

Who is the main culprit? 

The heart of the brain: Hypothalamus


Sexual desire (libido or lust):

Hypothalamus stimulates the production of sex hormones testosterones and estrogen, which drive sexual desire. Libido can indeed be understood as a motivational force that encourages individuals to engage in sexual activity, which is crucial for evolution.


Infatuation (Attraction or passionate love): 

Lust and attraction can occur together but they can also exist independently of each other. They involve various physiological and psychological processes. When you feel attracted to someone, your brain releases a burst of dopamine, feel feel-good chemical. The more dopamine is released, the better you feel. Due to this release, your brain’s reward pathways get activated and you feel good. The brain's reward pathways, particularly the release of dopamine play a central role in the intense emotions experienced during the early stages of a relationship. 

You must have heard of this hindi song ‘mujhe neend na aaye, mujhe chain na aaye’ (I can’t sleep, I have no solace) well that’s because of the high levels of hormones called norepinephrine or noradrenaline, which is responsible for the decrease in appetite and sleep. 

Attraction leads to lower levels of serotonin (responsible for sleep and appetite). 


Attachment (Companionate love):

Oxytocin (cuddle chemical) and vasopressin, produced by hypothalamus, are two key hormones that are associated with attachment and social bonding. These hormones help shape the emotional bonds we form with others, whether it's between romantic partners, friends, parents and children.

Both men and women are capable of simultaneously experiencing profound emotional attachment to a long-term partner or spouse, while also feeling attraction towards someone else. Additionally, their sexual desires can be aroused by situations that have no direct connection to either of their partners.


Reference: 

  1. Fisher, H. E. (2000, January 1). Brains do it: Lust, Attraction, and Attachment. The Dana Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.dana.org/Cerebrum/Default.aspx?id=39351

Comments

  1. HarendraAugust 28, 2023 at 2:48 AM

    Nice, there is involvement of n number of harmones. It only brain that is doing everything, heart is only there to pump blood

    ReplyDelete

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