Not from a philosophical perspective—I’m sure you’ve got other things to do today—but what causes that feeling?
The unromantic answer is a cocktail of brain chemicals, released at certain times in certain amounts. Dopamine. Oxytocin. Cortisol (because let’s be honest, falling in love is stressful).
In fact, it’s that stress that makes you lovestruck. Elevated cortisol and lower serotonin are responsible for intrusive thoughts. Next time you can’t get someone out of your head, that’s why.
Infatuation also makes you release dopamine—the neurotransmitter at the heart of the reward system. It’s a similar experience to the highs you get from drugs or alcohol. One study from the University of California even showed that male fruit flies that were sexually rejected drank four times as much alcohol as fruit flies that mated with female fruit flies.
And being in love can also affect more than just your mood. Research suggests all sorts of benefits, including:
🏥 Pain suppression 🐘 Stronger memory 💥 More creativity
There’s also some evidence that the state of being in love deactivates certain neural pathways responsible for negative emotions.
And in the long run?
Studies show that people can stay in love for decades, but the nature of the love changes. Same dopamine and oxytocin rewards, less stress. The rollercoaster of emotions doesn’t usually last that long, but the benefits stick around.
