LOVE

By Ashley Ross

WHAT IS LOVE?

This is a question that can be answered in many ways though love

has always been a mystery. Some might say that love is a spiritual

thing that can not be explained by science.

Others may suggest that love is natures amazing way of keeping our

species going and can be explained in evolutionary, biological terms.

"What we're seeing here is the biological drive to choose a mate, to

focus on one person to the exclusion of all others.“ - Helen Fisher

…Here are some of the findings in the scientific research of love…

*3 STAGES OF LOVE*

Lust

Attraction

Attachment

~*~.LUST.~*~

The 1st stage of the brain in love

Lust is mostly driven by the sex hormones

testosterone and estrogen.

This applies to both women and men

This is the 2nd stage of the brain

in love. During this time you feel

completely love struck and

cannot seem to think of anything

else besides your lover.

Scientist currently think that

there are 3 main

neurotransmitters that are

associated with this stage. These

include adrenaline, dopamine and

serotonin. This stage of early love

changes the way we think and

make decisions.

-+- ATTRACTION -+-

Adrenaline: Can cause you to

sweat, your heart to race and your

mouth to go dry.

Dopamine: People in the early

stages of love have high levels of

dopamine. This triggers the rush &

the feeling of pleasure.

Serotonin: May explain why your

new lover keeps entering your

thoughts uncontrollably.

This is the special bond that

keeps a couple together.

Scientist think that there are

two main chemicals associated

with the attachment stage.

These include oxytocin and

vasopressin.

ATTACHMENT

Oxytocin: This hormone is

typically released in both men

and women during an orgasm

and is said to strengthen the

bond between a couple. This

hormone is also released

during child birth and makes

for a stronger bond between

mother & child.

Vasopressin: Important in

long term commitment and is

also released after sex.

T H E B R A I N I N L O V E

IS LOVE ADDICTIVE?

Love also releases a biochemical rush of dopamine,

norepinephrine and phenyl ethylamine. This is

similar to the chemicals released during the use of

certain drugs. Just like any other chemicals, you can

build up a tolerance meaning you need more of these

chemicals to get the same rush/feeling.

Some neuroscientists suggest that people who jump

from relationship to relationship are addicted to

these effects of early love.

PARTS OF THE BRAIN THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE EMOTION OF

LOVE

AMYGDALA: Responsible for multiple emotional responses such as

love, fear, anger and sexual desire.

HIPPOCAMPUS: Part of the limbic system which sends information to

the amygdala.

PREFRONTAL CORTEX: Used in decision making in response to

emotions. Also regulates anxiety.

HYPOTHALAMUS: Also part of the limbic system which sends

information to the amygdala. Regulates emotions such as sexual

desire , pleasure & aggression.

CINGULATE GYRUS: Acts as a pathway between the thalamus and

hippocampus. It plays a role in remembering emotional events.

VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA: Dopamine pathways are located in this

area. The ventral tegmental area is also involved in emotions and love,

specifically in how a person perceives pleasure.

S C A N S BY T Y P E O F L OV E

VIDEOS ON THE BRAIN IN LOVE

This is a great video of Helen Fisher; a

biological anthropologist who seems to be

expert on the subject of love. She has wrote

many books such as “Anatomy of Love” and

“Why We Love”.

This is a video called your Brain in Love & Lust.

.BIBLIOGRAPHY.

www.youramazingbrain.org/lovesex/sciencelove

.htm - Theories and research of the brain in love.

“Why We Love” by Helen Fisher - Dec 9, 2004

http://

www.quantum-self.com/quantum-library/feeling-posit

ive/what-love-does-to-your-brain.html

- June 24, 2009 by Quantum Publisher

BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTINUED….

http://www.google.com/imghpfor images of love and the

brain in love.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/77419-parts-human-bra

in-correspond-emotion/

- for information on parts of the brain affected by love.

YouTube.com for videos of the brain on love.

Epsco.com - http://

web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=12&hid=21&sid=b8f

37198-4d55-4ce9-af27-aabb1f7af301%40sessionmgr4&bda

ta=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=35

995211

- Being Human: Love: Neuroscience reveals all - 1/8/2009