Love is generally perceived as one of the most powerful emotions in the human experience, which makes it even more difficult to approach it scientifically. For those who consider love to be completely outside of the realm of science, perhaps it is best not to read further.

To those who kept on reading, it has been known for quite some time that love originates in the brain rather than the heart. When someone falls in love, twelve different brain areas work together to release a mix of euphoria-inducing chemicals, such as dopamine, oxytocin and adrenaline.

The underlying of this strong and profound emotion is usually explained in evolutionary terms, namely to produce children and look after them, and after the partner involved.

Ready, Set, Go

Seeing that love is the results of a specific chemical mix (which bears a remarkable resemblance to the one caused by cocaine), it can be measured. By measuring these chemicals precisely with fMRI scans, researcher have been able to determine the ‘speed’ of love. It appears that we fall in love in about a fifth of a second.

Another substance that was found to have an impact is nerve growth factor (NGF), which is produced in large quantities in couples who have just fallen in love. This may lead to a scientific explanation of the ‘love at first sight’ concept.

Through understanding the chemicals and physical processes involved, may help understand and console those who suffer from emotional stress or even depression after a love affair that didn’t work out as well as they had hoped.

Different Kinds of Love

It also turns out that different kinds of love result from different brain processes. Unconditional love, such as the one a mother feels for her child, seems to be directed by areas in the midbrain.

Passionate love, such as the one experienced early in a relationship, finds its origin in the part of the brain that is responsible for the feeling of reward, and the associative brain areas that contribute to higher-order cognitive functions, such as body image.

In conclusion, it is important to remark that knowing the science behind something in no way diminishes the experience. Knowing how love works in the brain, in no way makes it any less pleasurable.

References

Falling in love is ‘more scientific than you think,’ according to new study by SU professor. Syracuse University News. 18 October 2010.
Fischetti, M. (2011). Your Brain in Love. Scientific American. 304, p. 92.
Ortigue, S.; Bianchi-Demicheli, F.; Patel, N.; Frum, C. & Lewis, J.W. (2010). Neuroimaging of Love: fMRI Meta-Analysis Evidence Toward New Perspectives in Sexual Medicine. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 7(11), pp. 3541 – 3552.