“It’s all a matter of chemistry”

As the hopeless romantic that I am, sooner or later I had to write an article about love.

Have you ever wondered why do we fall in love? What makes us feel interested in someone? What causes those smiles at the screen while we read a notification or those “butterflies in the stomach” when we know we have to meet *that* person? And why does it only happen with her/him?

“It’s all a matter of chemistry”, they say… and it’s like this in practice too, as Geopop tells us in its recent article in which it explains the 3 phases of falling in love: desire, attraction and bond.

During the first phase of falling in love, called desire, our body is treated with a strong sexual attraction. This is partly due to sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, but also to dopamine, the neurotransmitter that makes us smile silly and feel euphoric and excited.

In the next phase, called attraction, we are totally enraptured, “with our heads in the clouds”, and often lose our appetite. During this stage, our priority becomes the other person’s happiness. Molecules active at this time include dopamine, norepinephrine, and phenylethylamine, while serotonin decreases, which can lead us to obsess over our loved one to the point where we can think of nothing else. These molecules can also cause insomnia, euphoria and even addiction. At this stage, we tend to reason irrationally, following our heart rather than our head.

Finally, there is the bonding or attachment phase, during which the molecules that made us feel so “drugged” by love begin to diminish. This leads to a reduction in sexual attraction and desire.

In conclusion, the complex process of falling in love is a fascinating combination of brain chemistry and emotions.

For many, this explanation could take away that spark, that veil of mystery and romance that lies behind falling in love, but for me it makes everything even more fascinating.

Love remains one of life’s most beautiful mysteries, and whether it’s butterflies in the stomach, silly smiles, or scientific explanations, it will always be like this for me.