From a physiological perspective, falling in love is actually a complex mechanism driven by the brain. This mechanism can be regarded as an evolved incentive, which prompts individuals to develop intense emotions and ultimately achieve the goal of reproduction. To ensure the transmission of genes, the brain, through the action of a series of chemical substances, makes people show extreme enthusiasm and concentration in the early stage of love. Without this strong emotional driving force, individuals may not devote themselves so wholeheartedly to the process of reproduction.
Specifically, in the first six months of a relationship, the human body secretes neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and oxytocin. Dopamine brings a sense of pleasure, while norepinephrine causes an accelerated heartbeat and a feeling of energy, allowing people to experience the beauty of love. In addition, there will be a strong attachment between lovers, a desire to be together all the time, and anxiety when separated
Research shows that certain specific areas of the brain are abnormally active during a romantic relationship. Through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, it was found that being in love activates brain regions associated with happiness, which are similar to the active areas in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Professor Mary Lynn pointed out that serotonin levels drop in the early stages of a relationship, which explains why people focus most of their attention on their lovers and lose interest in other things.
Oxytocin and vasopressin, these two hormones, help to establish long-term stable relationships, providing a sense of happiness and security. However, over time, without proper maintenance measures, relationships may gradually drift apart or even break down. For those who have experienced a breakup, the areas of the brain related to the reward system remain highly active, leading to symptoms similar to addiction. This phenomenon is called “pseudo-addiction”, where the brain mistakenly believes it is still in a state of love. As the prefrontal cortex gradually regains its emotional regulation function and the hormone levels in the body return to normal, individuals can eventually get over the pain brought by a breakup.
