2. 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. * 3 S T A G E S O F L OV E *
Lust
Attraction
Attachment
4. ~*~.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
5. -+- ATTRACTION -+-
This is the 2nd stage of the brain in
love. During this time you feel Adrenaline: Can cause you to
completely love struck and cannot seem sweat, your heart to race and your mouth to
to think of anything else besides your go dry.
lover.
Dopamine: People in the early stages of
Scientist currently think that there are 3 love have high levels of dopamine. This
triggers the rush & the feeling of pleasure.
main neurotransmitters that are
associated with this stage. These include
adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. Serotonin: May explain why your new
This stage of early love changes the way lover keeps entering your thoughts
we think and make decisions. uncontrollably.
6. ATTACHMENT
This is the special bond that keeps a Oxytocin: This hormone is
couple together. 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.
Scientist think that there are two main Vasopressin: Important in long
chemicals associated with the term commitment and is also
attachment stage. These include released after sex.
oxytocin and vasopressin.
8. 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.
9. PA R T S O F T H E B R A I N T H A T A R E
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.
12. V I D E O S O N T H E B R A I N I N L OV E
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.
13. .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-
positive/what-love-does-to-your-brain.html - June
24, 2009 by Quantum Publisher
14. BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTINUED….
http://www.google.com/imghpfor images of love and the brain in love.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/77419-parts-human-brain-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=b8f37198-4d55-
4ce9-af27-
aabb1f7af301%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#d
b=a9h&AN=35995211 - Being Human: Love: Neuroscience reveals all -
1/8/2009
