What happens in the human brain when he is in love

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Is it true that hormones control everything and why sex often turns into love - says the anthropologist.

What happens in the brain of a person in love?

When a person falls in love, a tiny part of the brain is activated - the ventral tegmental region. It produces the hormone dopamine - a natural stimulant that motivates you to get the most valuable prize in life: a person you like.

So love is a dopamine trap?

Something like that. Dopamine is released not only if you see and touch your loved one, but also if you simply re-read their messages. One has only to think about a partner, butterflies appear in the stomach - this is how the effect of dopamine manifests itself.

Love is often compared to drugs. Is there a scientific explanation for this?

Yes, scientifically, love is indeed like drug addiction. The fact is that in addition to the dopamine system in the brain of a person in love, another part is activated - the nucleus accumbens. It is involved in all forms of behavioral addiction, be it drugs, gambling, food, kleptomania, or love. This is why romantic love is so much stronger than ordinary sex drive.

What is the difference between love and sex drive?

Romantic love is influenced by dopamine, and sex drive is influenced by testosterone. Moreover, both men and women. Dopamine makes a person concentrate on one partner with the subconscious goal of procreation. Testosterone prompts you to look for many partners for completely different purposes.

It turns out that sex without love is possible, but love without sex is not?

Not really. If you have sex and you like it, then the dopamine system in the brain is triggered, which we have already talked about. This can lead to the fact that you fall in love with a sexual partner. During orgasm, the person is blocked by the flow of oxytocin and vasopressin, which make them feel romantic. Therefore, sex without love is possible only at first, and then other hormones are involved.

Okay, what's wrong with male and female sexuality?

Almost all! It is believed that men are ready to have sex with anything that moves, but this is not the case. They are much more selective than many people think.

It is said about women that they, on the contrary, are not at all interested in sex. But this is also a delusion. Both men and women want sex equally at any age.

Is there any difference between male and female perception of love?

Men fall in love faster than women. They are more likely to show signs of attention in public, as if saying to other men: "She is with me." They also quickly introduce their beloved woman to family and friends, and quickly want to move in with her.

Men more often talk about sex with their soul mate, and women prefer to discuss intimate life with their friends, but not with their husbands. Men are also 2.5 times more likely than women to commit suicide after parting.

2.5 times more often? How can this be explained?

The fact is that women are more emotional than men. They do not hide feelings, give vent to experiences. They cry to their friends, speak out and feel relief.

Men are more secretive in this regard, because it happened over millions of years of evolution. They have always been protectors and earners, they could not show fear or vulnerability. This is the case today. Unspent emotions accumulate, internal tension builds up, and everything ends in the most deplorable way.

How can you limit such a complex concept as "love" to just brain processes?

Knowledge of the processes taking place in the brain of a person in love is like the ingredients of a delicious cake. You can know each product used in the recipe and enjoy the dessert. So it is with love. Knowing all about hormones, you will not stop falling in love and enjoying this feeling.

What makes a relationship and marriage happy?

In the brain, three areas are responsible for long-term love relationships:

• the area associated with empathy;
• an area related to the ability to manage stress and emotions;
• an area related to ignoring what you don't like about someone.

Therefore, for a happy marriage, it is enough to show sympathy, control emotions, be able to ignore the partner's shortcomings and concentrate on his merits. The secret is pretty simple.