THE SCIENCE OF
FALLING IN LOVE
Beyond the love songs, romantic poems,
passionate novels and sappy movies,
love is the result of complex processes in
the body. Here is a breakdown of love's
biology and the ways humans experience
romance with each other.
WHERE DOES THE BRAIN LOVE?
FALLING IN LOVE, STEP BY STEP
1
2
3
4
5
The hypothalamus releases dopamine into the
body, causing feelings of ecstacy and excitement.
As dopamine levels :
increase,
serotonin levels
decrease.
Serotonin is
responsible for a
person's mood and
appetite, among
other things.
The lower levels of
serotonin are similar
to levels found in
people with obsessive
compulsive disorders.
This may result in
feelings of obsession
or infatuation.
These are a few parts
of the brain that help
people experience
affection.
HOT SPOTS
z
o
z
o
z
AMYGDALA
Moderates fear
and stress
FOREHEAD
EARS
NECK
ABS
BACK OF
THE KNEES
These three parts of
the brain help regulate
feelings of reward. They
are also responsible for
the development of love
PITUITARY GLAND
Regulates hormones
and secretes them
into the body
HYPOTHALAMUS
Produces dopamine,
oxytocin and vasopressin,
all of which are necessary
in the process of falling
in love
SCALP
LIPS
Erogenous
zones are
parts of the
body that are
particularly
responsive to
stimulation,
resulting
often in sexual
excitement.
These are
popular hot
spots on men
and women.
EYELIDS
Along with dopamine, the body also produces a
substance called nerve growth factor.
NGF is more prevalent in people who are
newly in love.
People who are not in love or are in long-term
relationships have lower levels of NGF than
recent lovers.
The amount of NGF in the body directly
relates to the intensity of romantic feelings.
Oxytocin and vasopressin are responsible
• for feelings of connection and
commitment.
The hypothalamus
produces these two
hormones.
They are then stored
in the pituitary gland,
which secretes hormones
into the body.
In times of extreme passion — such as
during orgasm — these hormones enter the
bloodstream.
The presence of the two chemicals is often
attributed in part to the success of long-
term relationships.
These hormones affect different parts of the
brain. Because of these sections' nearness,
certain responses occur:
Activity increases
in the romantic core
of the brain.
A person's standards
for judging others
grow blurry.
The amygdala
deactivates.
The person in love
feels less stress
and fear.
SOURCES: "The neurobiology of love" Semir Zeki, heritage.org, census.gov, womensday.com, princeton.edu
The result is an overall feeling of unity between
people in love.
DN GRAPHIC ADAM BAUMGARTNER
lovethispic.com