Science behind love

Nowadays, humanity is dealing with love more and more often. This is not surprising, as everyone is looking, either consciously or subconsciously. But what can trigger love in a person’s body?

Thousands of reactions take place in the human body throughout our lives. Love is also a set of biological-chemical processes.

Although the existence of pheromones in the human body has not been specifically proven, an explanation for the existence of pheromones has already been found experimentally. Such research was, for example, the experiment of sniffing clothes. It consisted of couples in love, where the eyes of each member of the couples were blindfolded and then the garments of other persons were smelled with them. The result of the experiment is very convincing, as the lovers found the scent on their own partner’s dress the most pleasant. Based on this, there is a strong suspicion that love begins in our nose in our sense of smell. This statement may also be reinforced by the fact that the olfactory epithelium inside the nose is in direct contact with the hypothalamus of the brain, the emotional center. So that certain "chemistry" probably starts with pheromones. However, this is far from over, as different substances are produced in the body.

One such substance is dopamine. Dopamine is a multi-functional compound. Among other things, it stimulates pleasure in the emotional center of the brain, which is why it is even called the happiness hormone. It allows us to “talk all night” because it makes us feel tireless and energetic.

Phenylethylamine is a compound that induces dopamine production. It is a colorless, slightly fishy liquid that is soluble in water, alcohol and ether. (So in both polar and apolar solvents.) This is also mistakenly called the pleasure hormone, as it is also found in chocolate. But the MAO-B enzyme in the stomach juice breaks it down before it can get to the brain.

Oxytocin is also produced in the body during in love. A hormone produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland. Regulates smooth muscle function. It is thanks to this hormone that the intoxicating dreams we dream of our love.

Endorphin is a set of proteins that are produced in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus upon physical action. Such effects can include a state of arousal, consumption of spicy food, or orgasm. Its effect is often called the “pink cloud of fog”. In this case, we fall into a state of constant intoxication. The increased amount gives the connection stability and a sense of security.

90% of serotonin is produced by the gastrointestinal tract and is stored in the platelets and hypothalamus. This hormone also causes a euphoric condition. There are hypotheses that because it is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause “butterflies in the stomach”. Another theory explains the rise in blood temperature with serotonin as it is stored in platelets.

Norepinephrine or noradrenaline is a catecholamine hormone. It is produced in the adrenal gland. Its effect is similar to that of adrenaline. It is produced in the same way in stressful and emergency situations, but it only dilates the coronary arteries of the heart. This speeds up the heart, raises blood pressure and puts the brain in a state of attention. It is also responsible for a positive state of excitement and can be addictive.

Biologically, love is a passing thing. The explanation for this is that when we become in love, the levels of hormones described above jump, upsetting the biological balance of our bodies. Over time, however, we become accustomed to the predominance of hormones, and the balance begins to gradually re-establish itself. As a result, our fierce emotions will subside or even pass. However, there is nothing to worry about, because even if biological love goes away, the feeling of love can last forever.

Love is one of the most mystical things in the world, as we don’t know the reason or why it exists.