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Luke asked:
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What is love?
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============
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Love is an obsessive-compulsive affection state characterised by euphoria brought about by the
release in the brain of dopamine and a chemical called phenylethylamine. These most likely affect the
reward pathways leading from the limbic system at the base of the brain, where desires are
generated, and the cerebral cortex, where they are registered into consciousness. The close bonding
association (both between lovers and between parent and child) is probably associated with the
hormone oxytocin, which is manufactured in the hypothalamus and is released in response to
stimulation of the genitals. This stimulation need not be physical, but can be initiated in lovers by the
chemical signallers called pheromones being exchanged between the two. Oxytocin produces the
well-known warm, other-worldly feeling, and, being chemically similar to vasopressin, a chemical
known to have the ability to enhance the forging of new memories, it may be the case that the mental
impression of the person who initiates oxytocin release may be especially strong and lasting.
Oxytocin is also similar to the opium-like endorphins and, like them, is capable of causing an
addictive response, so that the lover may feel distressed when separated from the object of their
affection and its associated 'fix' of oxytocin.
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The reason you are unaware of this chemical cacophony, is twofold. Firstly, it is all initiated in the
lower, unconscious, part of the brain. Secondly, it is a chemical effect, not an electrical one, and as
such floods virtually all of the brain 'clouding out' other thoughts and leaving the unfortunate sufferer
famously unable to concentrate, and equally famously unable to make any reasoned assessment of
the suitability of the loved one. To use the old analogy, 'when your heart's on fire, smoke gets in your
eyes'; and also into your amygdala, cerebral cortex and prefrontal lobes.
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Is that the answer you were expecting? If not, then I wonder what sort of an answer you did want?
Happy Valentine's day.
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Glyn Hughes
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