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Love, a guarantee of good health?
The process of love, whether it is attraction, mutual attachment or desire, involves many hormones. These are linked to sensations or emotions beneficial to health.
The exhilaration of the first days
When you fall in love, the feeling of euphoria, elation and joy is linked to the secretion of a hormone: phenylethylamine (PEA). It is also nicknamed “the passion hormone” and chocolate, known for its positive effects on mood, contains it. Phenylethylamines have a role of neurotransmitter (= chemical molecule which ensures the transmission of messages from one neuron to another) which allows them to have a particular action on certain neurons. In this case, phenylethylamine soothes stress and anxiety and is also a psycho-stimulant1.
Attachment and couple building
After the stimulating actions of phenylethylamine come those of dopamine (hormone of happiness) and oxytocin (hormone of attachment). Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and addiction. It would intervene in the process of attachment and in the feelings of fidelity.
oxytocin2 is naturally secreted by our brain. Also produced naturally during childbirth and lactation, this hormone is responsible for the feeling of relaxation, attraction and attachment to another person. It would be a powerful anti-stress and would have doping effects on the immune system. It is secreted during a hug, a loving thought or a simple glance.
Lasting love
Throughout the romantic relationship, endorphins are the source of the feeling of well-being. These hormones are neurotransmitters from the opiate family. They work in the same way as morphine by attaching to specific receptors that block the transmission of pain signals and reduce the sensation of pain. They would be used to fight anxiety. Endorphin can be produced by the body after a great effort such as a sports activity, for example. Dependence on endorphins is strong but harmless to health. Endorphins could also modify our immune responses favorably.
Sources
www.sciencepresse.qc.ca http://www.cnrs.fr/