Science is discovering what happens to the brain when you fall in love

Previously, we have already seen What does science say about love?. And now a study published in the journal Behavioral science This takes knowledge to another level by showing exactly what happens to the brain when a person falls in love. To make this discovery, a team of researchers from the University of Canberra and the University of South Australia interviewed more than 1,500 people.

The 1,556 participants clearly identified themselves as “in love” and answered questions designed to assess their feelings and behaviors toward their partner. The second phase of the study included only 812 members of this group, as they had a newer passion.

Scientists wanted to understand whether the behavioral activation system (the mechanism within you that reinforces behaviors that can lead to reward) plays a role in love. The findings helped reinforce the idea that the brain works differently for those who fall in love, as thoughts and actions revolve around the new partner.

The brain during emotion

The researchers' theory is that a surge of hormones may be largely responsible for causing these behavioral changes.

“We know what The role that oxytocin plays in love“Because we have waves of it spreading through our nervous system and bloodstream when we interact with our loved ones,” the scientists revealed, in a statement issued by the same institution.

They add: “The way loved ones gain special significance is due to the combination of oxytocin and dopamine, a chemical that our brain secretes during love.”

With these findings, the researchers are now planning to conduct a future study to analyze the different styles of love in men and women, as well as research to classify people in love into four different types.

Science also makes it possible to understand Signs that you are in lovesuch as daydreaming, intrusive thoughts, empathy, and possessiveness.

source: Behavioral science, CEMEX

Popular on Canaltech: