THE CHEMICALS OF LOVE

Healthy love can add many benefits to our lives, from the not-so-known reasons of feeling an instant spark and getting high while we meet a total stranger to the long journey of connecting deeper with someone with subdued comfort.?

We seek it, feel it, are in it, and we might have got out of it!

LOVE – is there a single person reading this who has not experienced it?

It has varied virtues as it's one of the strongest states of being we can hope to feel.

?Given its mystic & transcendental nature, it impacts how our brain usually functions. It brings out so many neurological changes in us.

?We have Neurotransmitters- the signaling molecules that communicate messages between cells are located in the neuron's axon terminal. Each type of neurotransmitter binds to a specific target cell and then triggers a change in the cell by sending out electrical signals. It can be in the form of Excitatory, Modulatory, and Inhibitory types of response.

Let’s understand how these neurotransmitters get affected and steer our emotions as we begin to fall in love.

You'll be good to keep the three neurotransmitters and the changes in mind when you feel the spark.

?Serotonin

It impacts every part of the body, from motor skills to emotions.

Apart from being a natural mood stabilizer and contributing a lot to the way you feel, it also helps control bowel movements, your sleeping patterns, blood clotting, bone health, & your sex life. ?

The initial phase of attraction in a relationship – has heavy implications on the serotonergic system – and now you know why falling in love affects you not just emotionally but physically & mentally too!

?As the studies show, people who are ‘in love’ have high serotonin levels compared to those who are not – no, don’t get ideas, don’t get your serotonin level tested to share with your beloved as proof of love!

??Moreover, the studies also supported that people suffering from OCD-like behaviour have low serotonin levels.

Just a thought: Falling in love, levelling up this chemical naturally, will help you ease down with your OCD behaviours???

No, I’m not a doctor, but I have fixed many OCDs, disturbing emotions & toxic relationships, and I want you to understand how it works.

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Dopamine

Also called a feel-good neurotransmitter. It plays an essential role in the early stages of love. It shows the same effects as eating a sugary snack, having sex, or doing drugs which are anything that gives us a good feeling. They say the “Honeymoon phase” is most pleasant for a couple when the dopamine is spiking. The Reward system motivates us to be consistent in doing things that make us feel good.

It is designed to reward you for doing necessary things to survive, like eating, drinking, competing, and reproducing. Eventually, you feel good and seek more of that feeling. I’m sure you’ve experienced the instant ‘feel good’ while eating junk.

Some symptoms of Schizophrenia can be caused due to having an excess amount of dopamine in some regions of the brain, which creates delusions and hallucinations.

Dopamine agonists are drugs that are used to mimic natural dopamine. It is used in treating various disorders like Parkinson’s, restless leg syndrome, depression, attention deficit, hyperactivity, etc.

In a study, 10 men and 7 women who were intensely in love were shown 2 photographs simultaneously - one of their loved ones and another of a familiar face.

The result showed significant increases in dopamine in brain areas related to reward processing for their loved ones. ?

Now you know – why you keep exchanging selfies when you’re in the peak phase of your emotions. God bless the smartphone cameras for the clarity!

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Oxytocin

So from the instant sparks to intense feelings by the first two hormones, Oxytocin helps you calm down, connect & establish deeper bonds.

It's known by fancy names as “Love Hormone”, “the bonding hormone “,” the cuddle hormone”?as its chemical component is associated with sexual activity, empathy, and trust, relationships.

It has psychological and physical effects, including emotion and social behaviour.

In a study, it has been discovered that oxytocin may help keep men faithful to their partners by activating the reward centres in the brain. It also has been proposed as a possible treatment for postpartum depression, autism, etc., in some cases, and Oxytocin is proven to reduce cravings.

?According to the studies, Couples who stay together for a longer period hardly show any drop-in oxytocin levels.

The way we feel, and process those feelings through are behaviours & actions, has a profound impact on our neurodynamics.

These neurotransmitters are an integral part of our well-being.

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Now you know how much I mean it when I say – love can bring change. Love can do miracles!

I hope I’m leaving you with a nostalgic smile – as you look back on yourself & your relationships and get your answers!

Life is meant to be a beautiful experience!

Love to all,

AM