Love and your brain chemicals
Falling in love triggers several key chemicals in the brain that make you feel amazing.
1. Dopamine
When you’re in love, your brain releases a surge of dopamine. This chemical is linked to pleasure and reward. It makes you feel happy, excited, and even addicted to the person you love. This is why being around them or even just thinking about them feels so good.
2. Oxytocin
Also known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is released during moments of closeness, like hugging, cuddling, or holding hands. It strengthens emotional connections and trust, making you feel deeply attached to your partner.
3. Serotonin
Love can make you feel happy, but it can also make you a little obsessive. That’s because serotonin levels drop when you’re in love, causing you to constantly think about the person you adore. It’s why new couples can’t stop texting or wanting to be together all the time.
4. Adrenaline
Have you ever felt your heart pound or your palms sweat when you see someone you like? That’s adrenaline at work. It’s released when you’re attracted to someone, making you feel energised and excited.
How love changes your brain
Falling in love doesn’t just release chemicals, it also changes the way your brain works. Here’s how
Love activates the part of your brain responsible for attention and motivation. That’s why you find yourself thinking about your partner all the time and wanting to make them happy.
2. You feel less fear and stress
Love reduces activity in the part of the brain that controls fear and anxiety. This is why being in love can make you feel safe, calm, and secure.
3. You become more addicted
4. Why love feels so intense
Love is powerful because it involves both emotions and biology. The chemicals in your brain make love feel like an exciting rollercoaster—one moment, you feel on top of the world, and the next, you miss your partner deeply. Love also affects your decisions, making you more willing to compromise and care for someone else.
Over time, the intense excitement of early love may calm down, but the deep connection remains. That’s when love shifts from passion to a lasting bond, thanks to oxytocin and other bonding chemicals.
