What Are the Physiological Symptoms of Falling in Love?
- The expression "love is a drug" is not a complete exaggeration. Falling in love releases mood-affecting neurohemicals in the brain, including dopamine, oxytocin and phenethylamine. These neurochemicals influence pleasure, arousal and motivation. Adrenaline and norepinephrine are also produced, causing elevated heart rate and energy. MRI scans indicate that the pleasure centers of the brain are unusually activated as well.
- Falling in love induces a physiological sexual response. It causes a hormonal rush that escalates one's sexual excitement. It also creates a state of arousal in male and female genitalia in preparation for sex. Additionally, kissing actually transmits testosterone from men to women. Oxytocin also plays a special role in the sexual impact of falling in love. This neurochemical helps make sex pleasurable but it also increases bonding following sex.
- Just as falling in love can induce a rush of euphoria and burst of energy, falling in love with someone who doesn't return the same feelings can be physically hazardous to one's health. In such situations, the lovelorn person may experience extreme anxiety resulting from an influx of stress hormones. They may feel sluggish and lethargic as their energy levels decline. And their immune system may suffer too.
- Psychologist Dorothy Tennov conceived of the term "limerence" to describe the "obsessive, intrusive and consuming" physiological effects that result from falling in love. Limerence is evidenced by brain scans whose patterns mimic the mental illness of drug addiction. Falling in love, Tennov demonstrated, has a physical effect similar to dependence in which the individual craves the presence and affection of the object of his love at all costs. Tennov also theorized that the state of limerence only lasts between six months and two years.