The Science of Love
Ever wondered why anyone in the throes of an illicit affair would risk their
marriage, family, and career for the sake of what may seem like an irrational
crush? Scientists have begun to unravel the mystery of why love can make us
giddy, irrational and even ridiculous. Scanning technology allows neurologists
to unearth incredible images of what happens in our brains when we fall in
love.
They have mapped
the chemical changes that occur and discovered the parts of the brain that are activated
– and more importantly, the parts that shut down – during the heady days of
courtship.
THE
BRAIN WHEN IN LOVE
Semir Zeki, Professor
of Neuro-aesthetics at University College London, says: ‘When you look at
someone you are passionate about, some areas of the brain become active,’ he
says. ‘But a large part is de-activated, the part that plays a role in
judgment.’
Areas of the
brain switched off by love
The Amygdala, which controls fear
- The Mid Temporal Cortex, which controls negative emotions.
- The Frontal Lobe, which controls judgment.
- The Posterior Cingulate, which controls empathy.
Prof Zeki believes
if judgment is suspended, the most unlikely pair can get together and
reproduce. Someone in love will still be capable of making other major
decisions in their lives, like striking a business deal.
This makes it
harder for friends to convince them because ‘they have taken leave of
their senses’ when it comes to an ill-advised affair. This explains why people
feel overly excited – and unafraid of what might go wrong – when they fall
head over heels in love.
CHEMICALS SECRETED WHEN IN LOVE
Studies have shown
that the brain chemical dopamine is at higher levels in those in love.
Dopamine is key to our experiences of pleasure and pain, linked to desire,
addiction, euphoria, and a surge may cause such acute feelings of reward that
it makes love hard to give up. Tests show
that taking opioid drugs such as cocaine have a similar effect on dopamine as
love.
A side effect of
rising dopamine levels is a reduction in another chemical - serotonin, a
key hormone in our moods and appetite. Serotonin levels may fall in a similar
way to those seen in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, explaining why
love can make us feel anxious and jittery, and also in some cases, loss of
appetite.
The love chemical
we are most familiar with is adrenaline. This hormone is why our heart
races, palms sweat, and mouth go dry when we see the person we like. The same
hormone is also released when we are frightened. This means that two people
only vaguely attracted to one another can fall madly in love if they go through
an exciting or scary experience together.
On a lighter note, next time an individual goes “crazy”
over someone he/she loves, don’t blame them. Instead, blame the dopamine and
adrenaline levels.
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