Love, a complex emotion, influences both body and brain intensely. Love involves joy and pain, desire and sacrifice, connection and solitude. People in love and even those who have fallen out of love, describe this sensation in their own way.
Some can’t eat, some can’t sleep and some just can’t bear the “pain” of being away from their love interest. It is an intense sensation of deep affection. However, science describes love as a cocktail of chemicals released by the brain.
“Falling in love profoundly affects our body and brain. Initially body starts making more of stress hormone called cortisol and releases adrenaline and norepinephrine resulting in heart racing up, clammy palms, rosy cheeks and nervousness along with that brain starts thinking obsessively about the love object seen as infatuation due to a reduction in the levels of serotonin,” Dr Madhusudan Singh Solanki, Senior Psychiatrist & Head of Department of Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket told Financial Express.com.
He said that dopamine reward pathway gets activated making love a joyful and pleasurable experience similar to how people high on drugs or alcohol feel.
“Skin to skin contact with the loved one releases the love hormone oxytocin which helps to deepen the attachment one feels for the loved one and generates a sense of security in the relationship. Interaction of another hormone called vasopressin with oxytocin influences bonding, social behaviour and helps maintaining the relationship for long term,” he highlighted.
Dr. Solanki also revealed that due to the action of these hormones gradually passionate love transforms into deep attachment and calm harmonious togetherness. Apart from these changes love also dampens neural pathways controlling fear and critical judgement thus generating sense of calmness and prosocial behavior, he said.
“Lasting love also improves physical health like it reduces blood pressure, improves your immunity, lowers the risk of cardiovascular disorders and helps in faster recovery from illness,” he added.
Neurochemistry of love
Romantic love is not just about reproduction. Additionally, some experts argue that love should be considered as a motivation, like hunger, thirst, sleep or sex.
A report published by the University of Wollongong, the initial phase of falling in love is an extreme neurobiological state, characterised by heightened responses and high passion. Meanwhile, lust and attraction are driven by the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, as motivations for sex.
“When in love, a surge of neurotransmitters floods our brain, leading to an intoxicating concoction of emotions. Dopamine, often dubbed the “pleasure hormone” surges, triggering feelings of euphoria and reward akin to the effects of addictive substances. This surge of dopamine is responsible for the exhilarating rush experienced during the initial stages of romance. Simultaneously, love stimulates the release of oxytocin, aptly referred to as the “cuddle hormone” or “love hormone.” Oxytocin fosters trust, bonding, and intimacy, playing a pivotal role in forging deep emotional connections and nurturing attachment between partners. Oxytocin also contributes to reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation, further solidifying the emotional bond between individuals,” Dr. Rahul Chandhok, Head Consultant, Mental Health and Behavioural Science at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram told Financial Express.com.
Furthermore, love’s influence extends beyond romantic relationships, encompassing familial bonds and platonic connections. “Studies have shown that expressions of love, such as receiving a warm hug or engaging in heartfelt conversations, stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, fostering a sense of well-being and contentment,” Dr. Chandhok said.
How does love affect your body?
Love exerts a profound impact on the body’s physiological processes. According to Dr. Chandhok, an individual in love experiences numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, and enhanced immune function.
Loving relationships serve as buffers against stress, diminish the perception of physical pain, and enhance emotional and physical well-being, he said.
Here are some ways your body and brain change when you fall in love:
- Lasting love is consistently linked to lower levels of stress.
- Decreased risk of heart diseases
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved immune health
- Faster recovery from illness
- A loving relationship could help you have a longer life
- Your body may experience sleep and appetite changes
Love can be both a wonderful experience and it can also make you miserable. However, both experiences tend to have a major impact on your body and brain.