DescriptionThe brain chemistry of attraction comes from the release of dopamine, norepinephrine and phenythylamine.
Dopamine and norepinephrine can undergo a reaction and produce elation, intense energy, sleeplessness, craving, loss of appetite, and focused attention. During the 'puppy love' stage, scans show an increase in blood flow in areas of the brain where high concentration of receptors for dopamine for located. When dopamine is at a high, along with norepinephrine, it can heighten attention, short-term memory, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and goal-oriented behavior. With means, couples during this annoying stage is usually intently focused on the relationship and often on nothing else. |
Chemicals/ElementsDopamine is nicknamed the "pleasure chemical," while norepinephrine is similar in adrenaline and produces the feeling of the racing heart and excitement.
The first chemical relates to euphoria, craving, and addiction. When dopamine is at a high, along with norepinephrine, it can heighten attention, short-term memory, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and goal-oriented behavior. Serotonin, a chemical that moves nerve impulses across the space between nerve cells, are usually love in people who are 'in love.' These lower serotonin levels are about the same as people with OCD. That's right, OCD. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Adrenaline, a chemical that helps with the initial stages of 'falling in love;' activating stress responses and activating levels of adrenalin and cortisol. This causes you to sweat, have your heart race and your mouth suddenly go dry when you bump into your new "love." Oxytocin (The Cuddle Hormone) is a great and power hormone release during the do. (rated) It deepens couples attraction and make the two feel closer after they have sex. Theory - The more sex, the deeper their bond. |
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Chemical ReactionsPhenylethylamine (PEA) is a naturally occurring amine in the brain. Being a stimulant, it causes norepinephrine and dopamine to be released.
After dopamine is released, it can trigger oxytocin to be released Most of the chemicals during these stages are organic and naturally reoccurring chemicals; either being triggered by stimulants or released after another chemical. |
In ActionExperiment:
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"York psychologist, Professor Arthur Arun, has been studying why people fall in love.
He asked his subjects to carry out the above 3 steps and found that many of his couples felt deeply attracted after the 34 minute experiment. Two of his subjects later got married" ("Your Amazing Brain"). By testing levels of neutrophins in blood, researchers were able to find that levels of the chemical 'messengers' were higher in the early stages of romance. Nerve growth factors increased with romantic intensity during the first few stages. Testosterone was found to increase in women 'in-love,' the levels was lowered in men.
After a few years of a relationship, a couple is found to lose the lust molecule and be replaced with oxytocin. And the nerve growth factor to be reduced back to normal. |