is dopamine decides the feeling of love and messes up things

Ah, love. In the heady days of a mutual crush, pulses

race, knees go weak, and heads reel. So strong are these feelings, they’ve launched a thousand songs and poems.

But it’s more than just a metaphor. Love does indeed impact our bodies in measurable ways.

You feel different and are different. Read on to find out what researchers have discovered about this thing called love.

Addicted to love

Dopamine is the brain’s pleasure chemical. It plays a role

in gambling, drug use, and, well, love. When we fall in love, dopamine is

released, making couples feel elated and energetic about each other.

"That someone takes on special meaning to you and you focus on this

individual because the dopamine system has been activated, " says Helen

Fisher, PhD, a biological anthropologist. “It is what triggers

very goal oriented behavior, where no one else matters but your new partner.”

Dopamine can be present in both early-stage and long-term romantic love, she

says.

"O" is for oxytocin

Oxytocin

is a chemical that calms

and bonds couples together by promoting intimacy.

"It is what hugging, kissing and touching are made of, " says Fisher,

a visiting research associate atRutgersUniversityinNew Brunswick, NJ.

Oxytocin

levels also rise in new moms, promoting milk production and bonding

with babies.

So, if you feel the urge for a stay-at-home movie night to cuddle with your

beau, it may be oxytocin at work.

Testosterone takes off

Although testosterone is thought of as a macho hormone, it

helps stoke the fire in both sexes.

“It is just one of the many pieces for romantic love, ” says Fisher. “Sex can

drive up your testosterone levels.”

Men naturally have higher testosterone levels and trace amounts in saliva. One

theory says that when people lock lips, the transfer of this hormone could

increase sexual desire in a partner.

Tongue tied?

Another possible ingredient in the love potion is

norepinephrine. (It’s still being studied).

This stress hormone increases the heart rate, and may be the reason you feel

hot and flustered when that special person notices you.

Fisher says it might also be responsible for that butterflies-in-your-stomach sensation. “It can cause that awkward feeling, ” she says. “Sweaty palms, dry

mouth, fumbling words.“

Love connection

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a set of

genes that controls cell-surface molecules, which the body uses to tell self

from foreign invaders.

Our bodies exude MHC levels through sweat and body odor, as well as saliva.

There are a wide variety of MHC types, but they tend to more closely match in

people who are related.

Based on scent and taste, studies suggest we can pick up on MHC levels in other

people, and it’s thought that the more you differ in MHC, the stronger the

attraction.

Follow your nose

The saying is usually love at first sight, but your nose

plays a part too. Pheromones, which are chemical messengers, are theorized—but

not proven—to play a part in human sexual attraction. (They're major players in

insect behavior.)

Fisher says she isn’t a fan of the pheromone theory, but believes smell is a

part of love.

“Once you fall for someone, their smell can be a powerful thing, ” says Fisher.

“Women will wear their boyfriends T-shirts and throughout tales in history men

have held on to their lover’s handkerchief.”