The first impression, the first look, the first breath… The heart beats, the face fills with fire: the love “mechanism” has come into action. But what if our senses trigger it against our will? Four (bio)chemical formulas for this process.
First contact
An unconscious dialogue is established between future partners at a distance thanks to pheromones and the work of the visual system. Sex pheromones are odorous chemicals that convey biological information. It is picked up by a special olfactory organ (although we do not feel the smell) and transmits a signal to the brain. In response, we have sexual desires and sensations. In humans, unlike animals, the pheromone olfactory system is not the main engine of love. The decision on how much we like someone, we make primarily thanks to the visual system. It is possible that one day we will learn about “visual pheromones”.
Love
Once we have learned the “message” of pheromones and the visual system, emotions are included in the process. A look, a smile – and we already feel the need to constantly see this person, look at his photographs, hear his voice on the phone … We miss, worry, enjoy communication and need it. These sensations are associated with the influence of several hormones on us: endorphin, dopamine, adrenaline, norepinephrine and others. Under their influence, our heartbeat quickens, palms become wet, throat dries up, mood changes, activity increases, efficiency increases … We know neither fear nor fatigue when we are in love.
Read more:
- We choose each other for a reason
Development of a relationship
We are constantly together, the hormone of pleasure is produced in abundance … and the receptors eventually stop responding to it. At this point, we feel the need for new sources of pleasure. When we travel together, discuss the past day, or watch TV while hugging, the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin begin to be produced: perhaps it is under their influence that we grow a sense of trust and attachment to another person.
True love
Over time, dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine begin to be produced in smaller quantities: we get used to each other. But here serotonin comes into play, regulating our mood, giving a feeling of fullness and joy of life. Serotonin “calms” and softens love relationships, allowing them to exist for a long time and safely. In place of the excitement and the urgent need to be together all the time that accompanied our relationship at the beginning, other, deeper feelings come. Mutual understanding, affection, warmth indicate that we have found true love.
About it
- Timo Järvilehto “Brain and Psyche”, Progress, 1992.
- Bridget Martel Sexuality, Love and Gestalt, Speech, 2006.