Have you ever felt so high in love that you literally feel like you're floating and riding on a cloud towards the end of the rainbow? And have you ever had someone crash into that high by telling you that love is just a hodgepodge of chemical reactions? I hate to break it to you, but according to this very convincing article, love is really just a bunch of chemicals messing with your brain.
Upon seeing the object of your affection, the body releases three main compounds: adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is the drug that also triggers the fight or flight response. It elevates the heart rate and prepares the body for immediate action. Adrenaline also triggers the production of dopamine and serotonin. These two compounds combined together create a pseudo-addictive response -- probably the one responsible for the term lovesick. Dopamine is responsible for the feel-good high that also promotes cravings. Similarly, a lack of serotonin is the reason why that someone seems permanently etched into our subconscious, and why we can't stop thinking of them -- almost in an obsessive and compulsive manner.
Lovesick.
Photo from: http://sweetlemonmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Love_Sick_by_Lissie_Kun.jpg
Interestingly, the results of a study, conducted by the University of Pisa in Italy that measured the serotonin levels of 24 subjects within half a year, show that those who had been previously diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and those who were in love showed almost the same chemical profile, with serotonin levels that are 40% lower than the "normal" subjects. Some proponents of the study suggest that taking drugs that alter serotonin levels such as Prozac and Zoloft hinder a person's capability to fall in love and stay in love.
So if you're not ready to dive into falling in love brain first, and you're one of those 'I don't believe in love' extremists, Prozac is your best friend. If not, well, here's a song for you.
Blogpost by: Criselle David
References:
Ravenscraft, Eric. "Why You Make Bad Decisions When You're Attracted to Someone." Lifehacker. 14 January 2014. Retrieved from: http://lifehacker.com/why-you-make-bad-decisions-when-youre-attracted-to-som-1501035149
Sedor, Justin. "This is why you can't talk to your crush." Refinery29. 16 January 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.refinery29.com/2014/01/60766/attraction-bad-judgement-study
Slater, Lauren. "True Love." National Geographic. February 2006. Retrieved from: http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/true-love.html
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