Culture and Society
What role do chemicals play in helping us fall in love?
Answered by
Discovery Channel
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Discovery Channel
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Our bodies produce various chemicals when we experience the various stages of love.
- When we first fall in love, our bodies release dopamine, norepinephrine and phenylethylamine. Scientists think dopamine may be "the pleasure chemical" that is responsible for the euphoric feeling people have when they're in love. In contrast to this, norepinephrine acts more like adrenaline, making people feel excited. These two chemicals together cause intense energy, excitement, difficulty sleeping, cravings, loss of appetite and intense focus.
- When people are in love, they have lower serotonin levels. In fact, their serotonin levels are similar to those found in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders. This may be why people who are in love focus so intensely on their partner.
- When people are in love, the neural circuits associated with judging others are suppressed. This might explain why people who are in love don't notice their partner's failings.
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