Why Do You Fall in Love? Which Brain Chemicals Are Responsible?
Have you ever been in love? If yes, then you better know what the symptoms are. Lack of sleep, concentration, decreased appetite and inability to think rationally. But, have you ever tried to explore the reason why you fall in love and what does it actually mean? If not, then given here is some help that will satisfy your queries.
There is a Biological Reason Behind Your Falling in Love:
When you fall in love, you become irrational and care least about the suitability of the person you desire. Whether she/he is of your age, status, religion etc. seem to be immaterial to you. Why this happens? Here are the hormones which are responsible behind the pleasurable feeling of being in love.
- Oxytocin: This is also known as love hormone or touch hormone. Basically, women secrete this hormone at the time of pregnancy by the pituitary gland located in the brain but it is multi-functional. It is a neurotransmitter and is known to give you the feeling of bonding, empathy and well-being. When you are in love, your brain begins to secrete this hormone into your blood stream as the result of which you feel less stressed and more attached.
- Dopamine and norepinephrine: These two hormones are responsible for enhancing your mood naturally. So, the feeling of butterfly rolling down on your stomach on catching the sight of your beloved is due to the release of a neurotransmitter. In short, both dopamine and norepinephrine are the molecules that bind our secret cravings be it for addiction or for desire.
- Serotonin: Like Dopamine, this is also a neurotransmitter. The chemical is manufactured in your body with the help of an amino acid called tryptophan. The chemical reduces your anxiety, stress and fear levels and its release gives you the pleasurable feeling which all the love struck people must be aware of. The release of this chemical in sufficient amounts helps the patients with anxiety.
- Fenylethyalamine: When this chemical is produced in your body, you begin to breath faster, your palms will sweat and both your cheeks as well as your genitals will swell up with the surplus blood flow. You will come to know that you are excited or nervous by the proximity of someone you really love.
- Endorphin: There would be no exaggeration to term endorphin as a naturally produced morphine by our brain. It has exactly the same effect as opium and make you feel delighted. Eating candies and chocolates help in producing more of it.