LOVE
By Ashley Ross
WHAT IS LOVE?
This is a question that can be answered in many ways though love
has always been a mystery. Some might say that love is a spiritual
thing that can not be explained by science.
Others may suggest that love is natures amazing way of keeping our
species going and can be explained in evolutionary, biological terms.
"What we're seeing here is the biological drive to choose a mate, to
focus on one person to the exclusion of all others.“ - Helen Fisher
…Here are some of the findings in the scientific research of love…
*3 STAGES OF LOVE*
Lust
Attraction
Attachment
~*~.LUST.~*~
The 1st stage of the brain in love
Lust is mostly driven by the sex hormones
testosterone and estrogen.
This applies to both women and men
This is the 2nd stage of the brain
in love. During this time you feel
completely love struck and
cannot seem to think of anything
else besides your lover.
Scientist currently think that
there are 3 main
neurotransmitters that are
associated with this stage. These
include adrenaline, dopamine and
serotonin. This stage of early love
changes the way we think and
make decisions.
-+- ATTRACTION -+-
Adrenaline: Can cause you to
sweat, your heart to race and your
mouth to go dry.
Dopamine: People in the early
stages of love have high levels of
dopamine. This triggers the rush &
the feeling of pleasure.
Serotonin: May explain why your
new lover keeps entering your
thoughts uncontrollably.
This is the special bond that
keeps a couple together.
Scientist think that there are
two main chemicals associated
with the attachment stage.
These include oxytocin and
vasopressin.
ATTACHMENT
Oxytocin: This hormone is
typically released in both men
and women during an orgasm
and is said to strengthen the
bond between a couple. This
hormone is also released
during child birth and makes
for a stronger bond between
mother & child.
Vasopressin: Important in
long term commitment and is
also released after sex.
T H E B R A I N I N L O V E
IS LOVE ADDICTIVE?
Love also releases a biochemical rush of dopamine,
norepinephrine and phenyl ethylamine. This is
similar to the chemicals released during the use of
certain drugs. Just like any other chemicals, you can
build up a tolerance meaning you need more of these
chemicals to get the same rush/feeling.
Some neuroscientists suggest that people who jump
from relationship to relationship are addicted to
these effects of early love.
PARTS OF THE BRAIN THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE EMOTION OF
LOVE
AMYGDALA: Responsible for multiple emotional responses such as
love, fear, anger and sexual desire.
HIPPOCAMPUS: Part of the limbic system which sends information to
the amygdala.
PREFRONTAL CORTEX: Used in decision making in response to
emotions. Also regulates anxiety.
HYPOTHALAMUS: Also part of the limbic system which sends
information to the amygdala. Regulates emotions such as sexual
desire , pleasure & aggression.
CINGULATE GYRUS: Acts as a pathway between the thalamus and
hippocampus. It plays a role in remembering emotional events.
VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA: Dopamine pathways are located in this
area. The ventral tegmental area is also involved in emotions and love,
specifically in how a person perceives pleasure.
S C A N S BY T Y P E O F L OV E
VIDEOS ON THE BRAIN IN LOVE
This is a great video of Helen Fisher; a
biological anthropologist who seems to be
expert on the subject of love. She has wrote
many books such as “Anatomy of Love” and
“Why We Love”.
This is a video called your Brain in Love & Lust.
.BIBLIOGRAPHY.
www.youramazingbrain.org/lovesex/sciencelove
.htm - Theories and research of the brain in love.
“Why We Love” by Helen Fisher - Dec 9, 2004
http://
www.quantum-self.com/quantum-library/feeling-posit
ive/what-love-does-to-your-brain.html
- June 24, 2009 by Quantum Publisher
BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTINUED….
http://www.google.com/imghpfor images of love and the
brain in love.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/77419-parts-human-bra
in-correspond-emotion/
- for information on parts of the brain affected by love.
YouTube.com for videos of the brain on love.
Epsco.com - http://
web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=12&hid=21&sid=b8f
37198-4d55-4ce9-af27-aabb1f7af301%40sessionmgr4&bda
ta=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=35
995211
- Being Human: Love: Neuroscience reveals all - 1/8/2009