Love Chemistry Facts

There are many chemicals related to "love".

What we call "love", with all the intense energy exhilaration and focused attention on another person, is really a chemical cocktail of steroids, hormones, and pheromones released by the brain. The affects on the body can not be denied: the feeling is fantastic! Recent research with the latest powerful tools, such as fMRI machines and spectrometers, have uncovered new insights into one of life's greatest pleasures: "falling in love." The sequence of events when this joyously happens appears to be a well established behavior designed to perpetuate our DNA in offspring. Some researchers have stated that our bodies are merely here to make more copies of our DNA and pass it on to offspring. After that is done, it appears the male body is programmed to die. Females are programmed to stick around longer so they can help raise the little packages of DNA (i.e. the grandkids). This is the "grandmother theory" that attempts to explain why women normally outlive men.

The chemicals related to "love" are not only in humans but also show up in many animals and birds who mate for life. The first sensations when love strikes are triggered by an area in the brain called the Caudate Nucleus where there are an abundance of neurotransmitters sensitive to the chemical dopamine. Whenever the outer world events are right to trigger "falling in love", the brain releases a surge of dopamine that begins an avalanche of pleasurable body feelings and behaviors. Additional areas of the brain related to expectation and motivation for rewards are activated. Attention is focused on the loved person because of high expectations and rewards. The perceptions of him or her are even distorted because of the imbalanced chemicals now circulating in the brain and body. He or she is perceived in highly positive and desirable ways. A person in love may truly see their object of love more beautiful than everyone else in the world! Often it has been noted that common sense and good judgement seem to be lacking in people in love. Risk taking and poor judgments are common behavior for people in love. Interestingly, compulsive gamblers also have high dopamine levels which affect the brain center for reward motivation.

When two people get naked, and really close to smell and taste each other's pheromones, testosterone and adrenaline are elevated. These two chemicals can turn normally weak men and women into sexual athletes. It is not uncommon for men to exceed the limits of their other body systems and die of heart failure while on top of the woman. Is that good or bad sex?

If "good sex" is judged by how long it takes, here are some research findings gathered for over a decade by Penn State University researchers on how long some people take to complete their sex play: (Time from penetration to ejaculation.)
1 to 2 minutes: Too short of time for enjoyment.
3 to 7 minutes: Adaquate.
7 to 13 minutes: Most desirable length of time.
13 to 30 minutes was too long for many people but some enjoyed the marathon sessions lasting an hour or more.
ADVICE: Find out what your partner likes and stay within his/her comfort and enjoyment limits. That requires some discussion and negotiation to clarify expectations. If you don't get these details clarified early, the relationship is likely to end abruptly and you won't even know why.

Another drug produced in the body of lovers is a hormone called oxytocin. It is a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Oxytocin produces a strong satisfying feeling of connectedness between lovers and also for their offspring. Through evolutionary selection, oxytocin has been programmed to kick-in when it is needed most for the couple to stick together in order to raise and protect their offspring -- who inevitably show up after the period of chemical saturated passion.

Large amounts of oxytocin are produced in women's bodies when giving birth to children and also during breast feeding. Also it is produced in both men and women during sexual climax. Oxytocin is a natural body chemical that drives people to be more nurturing, giving, and protective. Women have approximately seven times more oxytocin receptors in their body than men. This may explain why women especially like chocolate: chocolate contains a small amount of oxytocin.

Recent research has also uncovered another little chemical warfare initiated by females to manipulate the males to stick around and help raise the offspring. Females produce a chemical named copulins. Copulins are compounds scientists have identified as female pheromones that can control men. These are fatty acids that women produce in their vaginal secretions maximally at the time of ovulation. It has been shown that copulins can be transferred by a female to a male through his thin sensitive tissues. His body and brain are affected in several ways. It changes his behavior and makes him much more attentive and attracted to her physically and emotionally. His testosterone increases as much as 150% and he is more docile to her, thereby increasing the bonding in their relationship. It seems copulins has evolved in women to even the odds between the smaller female and the physically stronger male. Copulins gives her a secret chemical weapon to control him once he gets really close to her in an on-going relationship. I thought chemical warfare was outlawed?

Copulins' controlling influence seems to do everything to a man that women want! It makes a man want to be emotionally and physically closer to his woman in a very sensitive way. It is not clear how copulins works on a man's systems. At first it appeared that this was just men feeling grateful for what the women gave them, but much more was happening. In animal studies it was proved that males who mated with females without the copulins did not have the strong bonding urge. Those males who could absorb the copulins from the female did have the strong bonding urge after mating.

Advice for men and women

Forget the scientific explanations for what love is and just let it happen and enjoy it to the fullest. If and when love fades, look at the scientific explanation and stop blaming yourself or the other person. Remember that love is just a drug trip, and understand that you are just suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms after the breakup.

Fact 9:
There are many brain chemicals and pheromones that make "love" such a delightful ride -- and often irrational. However to avoid making hasty decisions and mistakes both men and women should use their "new brain" where logic and critical thinking take place.

Click here for Fact #10:
Dating Modern Women.

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