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However, romantic love is not just for procreation. According to some, love is as much a motivation as hunger, thirst, sleep or sex. There are many benefits to loving others and having someone love you. It improves mental health, well-being and immune function, as well as reducing chronic stress and illness. What happens when a person first falls in love? Falling in love begins when a person begins to see another person as special and unique. The initial stage of falling in love is a highly neurobiological state. This feeling of love is characterized by high reactivity and high passion. Lust and attraction are driven by the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, as motivation for sex. When you fall in love, certain areas of the brain are activated, especially the limbic system and reward center.
A feeling of tension in the early stages of falling in love
The limbic system plays an important role in emotion and memory. This creates a positive mood and explains why memories associated with new love are so strong. Dopamine increases the motivation and tendency to pursue romantic interests. Noradrenaline produces a feeling of euphoria. Due to this changes in the body are felt like fast heart rate, increase in energy. At the same time, other parts of the brain become inactive. Reducing activity in the frontal cortex reduces negative emotions and negative judgments. People initially turn a blind eye to the shortcomings of their loved ones. But in the early stages of falling in love, cortisol, stress and insecurity increase.
How does romantic love change over time?
The initial stage of falling in love and intense infatuation lasts for several months. In the next stage, intimacy, commitment and attachment increase. This is mediated by the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. Oxytocin makes us feel safe after taking the risk of falling in love. Oxytocin and vasopressin balance the attachment to the other. Along with this, they protect the relationship between you and the person you fall in love with. Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone”. Because it works to create social bonds and relationships. Sexual activity is different from love, but it reinforces attachment. Oxytocin and vasopressin are released when we touch, kiss or have sex. This increases the love and commitment between the couple.
Oxytocin has a positive effect on human health
High intimacy and commitment help sustain love. Lack of passion causes some relationships to falter in the process of strengthening the relationship, while others end up dying due to lack of passion. What about non-romantic love? Oxytocin plays an important role in all forms of love, including non-romantic love with family, friends, and even pets. Oxytocin has many benefits for positive social relationships, human health, well-being and longevity. A good quality of life and healthy social relationships depend on oxytocin.
Love may be nature’s best chemical combination. But the complex behavior of those who fall in love and all the intricacies of the feeling of love are beyond science.