What Happens in The Body, When in Love?
How does love feel like? We all have our own answers. Aren’t we? There are plenty of quotes, songs, poems and literature on the topic. But we don’t know what happens inside our brain when we are in love. Let’s explore the science behind this.
At First…
“It does raise levels of cortisol.”
Richard S. Schwartz, MD
cortisol is a stress hormone.
Hesitation before talking to crush, nervousness before the first date might be due to cortisol.
Fact: In science it is proven cortisol suppresses immune function of the human body. Yet it is also proven it does not cause an illness.
“Love turns on the neurotransmitter dopamine.”
Richard S. Schwartz, MD
Dopamine can rise even when we hope something we love would happen. It also increases when we do something that we really enjoy doing.
“A drop in levels of serotonin happens”
Richard S. Schwartz, MD
Serotonin is a mood stabilizer hormone. It also creates calm atmosphere. Not only that, it helps the body functions; eating, seeping and etc. The studies show, decrease in serotonin can be observed from a person in love.
How do we know that serotonin has dropped? It’s simple and clear. You start going crazy over love. Sudden infatuation is also caused by drop in serotonin.
Later
During the first love-year, serotonin levels gradually return to normal. The “stupid” and “obsessive” condition moderates. That period is followed by increases in the oxytocin”
The Harvard Gazette
Oxytocin creates calm and mature from of love. Also gives variety of health benefits; low risk for strokes and heart attacks, high survival rates from surgeries, and etc. (observed in married partners) Implying a healthy relationship supports a healthy body.
“There are different phases and moods of love. The early phase of love is quite different”
The Harvard Gazette
As said before, early phases of love creates drop in serotonin. Then it reaches normal level with the time.
What’s in it for you? Which stage are you in? Let’s continue in comments.
We also got what is love? 11 surprising answers by kids
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A daughter, sister, social activist and friend. I’m passionately self learning cognitive psychology and philosophy. I love to share knowledge and happy vibe with everyone around me.
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