Chemistry Of Love

Love effects us in many ways and has many stages. Now the sciences of neurochemistry and immunology has started to shed light on the chemistry of love, and how our body and mind chemistry play crucial roles in the development and progression of love. These findings show us that some of our most basic body chemistry systems are involved, and so it is no wonder that love has a physical effect on our bodies through these chemical and biological systems. This doesn't take away from the wonder of love, but just show us how we show the symptoms of ecstasy, pain and madness all at the same time.

People in love are said to have found the perfect chemistry with each other, and in the last fifty years the sciences of neurochemistry and immunology has started to shed light on the chemistry of love.

Love has a chemistry of it's own which effects and is effected by your body. The stages of love are commonly broken down into three, lust, attraction and attachment. (Based on Helen Fisher's book Why We Love: The Nature And Chemistry Of Romantic Love).

Lust is an intense longing that usually starts the love phase, and is strong on passion but weak in the other elements, and is driven by the basic sexual instinct. It is driven by the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen, and men and women have both of these in their bodies. Testosterone has been found to play a major part in the sex drive of both men and women. Lust can be triggered by sight and touch. Smell can also be involved in women choosing a partner, and odourless pheromones are now thought to have an effect in humans, while it has been recognised as being very important in many other animals for a long time. It is thought that women have an unconscious smell preference for men with an immune system different to their own, as this will result in children being more resistant to infection. This was shown in an experiment where women chose used men's T-shirts based on how they liked the smell ('The smelly T-shirt study' Claus Wedekind 1995).

Attraction is the love-struck phase which draws people together, when you are always daydreaming about your new love. This produces conflicting chemical messages in the body, so no wonder other people thing you are a bit mad. This phase does not last, and moves on to the attachment phase within about thirty months, after which passion fades. Three three main body chemicals are effected -

• Dopamine (the desire molecule) controls the body's reward mechanism in the brain through the same mechanism as cocaine and nicotine. It makes you focus on one thing at a time. So you can be 'high' on love
• Adrenaline (the stimulation hormone) makes the heart beat faster and the palms sweat, and makes you all jittery
• Serotonin (the happiness hormone) levels are reduced in the same way as in depression and some other mental diseases. So you can be depressed, sad and a bit mad

Attachment takes over if a relationship is going to last, and is the bond that takes over to keep couples together and gives the family stability to bring up children. Three hormones appear to be involved.

• Endorphins (the body's opiate) increases in response to touch, visual signals such as a smile, and positive thoughts. It is thought to be the main attachment chemical in long term relationships
• Oxytocin (The cuddle chemical) is released during kissing and foreplay and peaks during orgasm, and more sex is thought to deepen the bond between a couple.
• Vasopressin (the monogamy molecule) is responsible for creating heightened awareness and intense loving memories during passionate situations