Affectionate, intimate, and enduring—love is one of the most powerful feelings that humans can experience. It can break boundaries, change lives, and transform our world. It can also be complex, confusing, and hard to define. Scientists, philosophers, and poets have debated its nature for centuries. Yet, no one knows exactly what love is or why it works the way it does.
The word “love” covers a lot of ground, from the intense, emotional bond between two people to the desire for a particular person or thing. In addition to being used for romantic relationships, love is often applied to non-human animals and principles, such as freedom or God. Some people even use the term to describe their own personal values, such as self-respect.
Love has fascinated philosophers, artists, and writers for generations. While most people agree that the feeling of love is an important part of a healthy relationship, it can mean different things to each individual. The dictionary defines it as a feeling of strong affection for another based on kinship or personal ties, but this is a vague and limited description of the emotion.
Psychologists and sociologists often disagree on how to categorize love. Some believe that it is not an emotion at all, but a basic physiological drive like hunger or thirst. Others argue that it is a composite of several primary emotions. And still others consider it a primary emotion that requires specific behavioral responses.
Researchers are still working to understand how and why we love the people in our lives. Some studies have shown that it’s not just a matter of attraction or likability; it’s also about what we give to each other and how much we trust each other. And, of course, it’s about a shared sense of purpose that can carry us through the good times and bad.
A recent study showed that the hormone dopamine is released when we think about someone we love, which may explain why we feel that pitter-patter in our stomachs. And other research has found that when we love another person, we are more likely to share their values and priorities. In fact, our commitment to each other can be stronger than our commitment to ourselves.
Whether you prefer the traditional definition of love or the more complex one, it’s important to be honest with your partner about what you want in a relationship. And if you’re lucky enough to find the right person, remember that loving them means taking care of them — even when they’re embarrassing. They’re worth it.