Love is a powerful emotion. It can be passionate, euphoric and even irrational. It can also be painful and disappointing. But the question remains: What is love?
A simple definition of love is the intense feeling that comes over you when you’re in a relationship. It encompasses a variety of emotions, including infatuation, admiration, compassion, loyalty and understanding. Love can be shaped by a variety of factors, including genetics, hormones and the hypothalamus in the brain. In addition, it can be influenced by cultural and social factors, including religious beliefs, family values and the expectations of society.
What makes love unique, however, is that it has been a central part of human civilization for thousands of years. It may be that the emotional experience of love is a driving force that keeps us alive and healthy. It may be that our brains are wired to love others because it is a critical factor for survival.
Many studies have explored what makes people fall in love and stay in love. Biological models of love tend to view it as a mammalian drive, similar to hunger or thirst. Psychological models of love, on the other hand, focus on the effects of hormones such as oxytocin and neurotrophins, and the way that love can be shaped by culture and social expectation.
When you fall in love, key regions of your brain light up like a city skyline at night. The ventral tegmental area of your brain is flooded with dopamine and adrenaline, which can cause feelings of euphoria and pleasure. This is why your cheeks flush, your palms sweat and your heart races when you meet someone who captures your interest. Then, as the relationship develops, this rush of dopamine and adrenaline is replaced with a surge of the hormone oxytocin, which helps you feel bonded and emotionally secure.
The more you interact with the person you love, the more oxytocin is released, which leads to feelings of loyalty and affection. This helps you become more attracted to and tolerant of the person’s flaws and imperfections. It also helps you make sacrifices for the person, such as putting their needs before your own. Ultimately, this kind of love is about selflessness and the ability to forgive. In a long-term relationship, this can lead to higher levels of satisfaction and lower rates of resentment.