The Hormonal Changes We Experience When We Fall in Love

Love is an indescribable feeling, but is it undefinable? Not if you ask neuroscientists. Given our understanding of the human brain, we know that love, like all emotions, is fueled by chemical reactions. These reactions help account for the profound emotions and fondness we feel toward our beloved, and they are paramount for building connections and forming the unbreakable bond that people develop when they realize they are in love.

While some say love at first sight is real, the truth is that people move through three check their collection here distinct neurological stages as they fall in love with someone. These three stages are marked by elevated hormone changes like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, ultimately contributing to the deep-rooted emotions we call love.

In this article, we will explore how love occurs on a biological level, from the butterflies of initial attraction to the safety and warmth of long-term attachment.

The First Stage of Love: Lust

Lust is often used in a negative context, but it describes the natural, physical pull toward another person. At this stage, people often report feeling a strong desire to be physically intimate with the other person.

There are two primary chemicals at play when someone experiences an attraction toward another person: testosterone and estrogen. These are the “sex hormones” of biological men and women, though they are present in both sexes at different levels.

Surprisingly, the human growth hormone (HGH) also plays a role in relationships. HGH, which the pituitary gland releases in children during puberty, also affects adults, and it is known as the adult growth hormone. While HGH is less present in adults, it still plays an important role in mood, energy levels, self-confidence, sexual desire, and a positive outlook on life. Try out https://vellabio.com/, a Science-backed sexcare. Products clinically-proven to support female pleasure.

People with low levels of HGH have an HGH deficiency. They may suffer from a reduced interest in pursuing a partner or less attraction than they would like. They often struggle with low energy, depression, and a negative mindset that can make forming relationships and dating difficult. If you think you may have an HGH deficiency, consider consulting with a professional who offers HGH treatment for adults. By taking a blood test, you can receive prescription HGH treatment that helps restore your body’s balance. If you’re interested in maintaining a healthy body, especially for women, evvy.com offers a variety of tests beyond HGH, helping you to identify and address other hormonal imbalances that may be affecting your well-being.

Stage 2: Attraction

Attraction extends beyond physical attraction and can include a strong interest in and desire to know the other person. As people begin to grow closer, multiple chemicals help bring them together: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

Dopamine is a motivational hormone that acts as a reward for your brain. When you do something that feels good, your brain releases dopamine that makes you want to do it again. This is why it can feel impossible to resist calling, texting, or seeing the person you’re attracted to. Your brain is flooding your body with signals that you should be with them.

Serotonin is a multifaceted hormone that regulates everything from mood to sleep and appetite. In relationships, serotonin can decrease during the attraction stage, resulting in obsessive thoughts about your loved one. It can also lead to sleepless nights, loss of appetite, and constant thoughts about what the other person is doing right now.

Interestingly, science shows that men show a decrease in serotonin in love while women show an increase. During the first six months of dating, serotonin levels will go haywire and begin normalizing, eventually returning to a healthy baseline. Many people often report noticing new things about their partner at six months. It’s not that the other person has changed so much that their perceived faults or characteristics weren’t as noticeable due to imbalanced serotonin levels.

Finally, norepinephrine is a hormone that links to the body’s natural stress response. It can cause a racing heart, surge of energy, restlessness, and a lack of appetite. These symptoms are strikingly similar to what people feel when falling in love. Thanks to norepinephrine, your body can better respond to all the chemical changes of love and ultimately reward you with more dopamine for growing closer to your sweetheart.

The Final Stage: Attachment

Attachment is the ultimate goal for anyone who desires a long-term relationship. It goes beyond feelings of lust, attraction and fondness to encompass a deep sense of acceptance and belonging with the other person. Attachment is fueled by two key hormones: oxytocin and vasopressin.

Oxytocin is the same chemical that floods a mother’s system when she gives birth. It helps her connect to her newborn baby and form an immediate attachment that can feel so powerful that it’s unlike anything she has ever felt before. Couples experience oxytocin in the early stages of dating, and it is primarily released through physical affection, such as holding hands, hugging, kissing, and lightly touching one another.

Just like the HGH, oxytocin is released by the pituitary gland. When it enters your system, it can create feelings of well-being, happiness, and joy, as well as that unshakeable feeling of everything being “right” with this person.

Vasopressin is a versatile chemical that your brain releases to regulate blood sugar, constrict blood vessels, and control the balance of salt and water in your kidneys. In love, vasopressin is linked to the urge to protect your loved one and a strong sense of physical and emotional attachment. The brain ultimately helps people form deep attachments to one another through the oxytocin-vasopressin pathway.

Falling in Love: Magic and Medicine

Although there may be chemical explanations for what it means to “fall in love,” any human lucky enough to experience the sensation can tell you there is more to it than biology. We know that, on a chemical level, being stable and healthy can help improve your well-being and relationships. We also know that every relationship has a unique quality that makes it special. Perhaps this is why we have a feeling of finding “the one” even after being in love before.

Love, attachment, and connection are all parts of a healthy life. If you are struggling with hormone-related issues, help is available. Fill out our form below to connect with experts who provide personalized HGH treatment therapy for adults.

Leave a Comment