The Biological Effects of Love and Heartbreak on the Body: What Happens Physiologically When We Love or Lose Love

2024-02-13 07:19:13

When we are in love or heartbroken, how does our body change?

Because no one can be fulfilled in love every time. There must be some heartbreak. Therefore, taking care of our love experiences that create an impact on the body. It will help our health improve. and leads to a long life. This will help take care of the relationship for a long time as well.

Whether this year’s Valentine’s Day is the day you’ve been waiting for. or don’t want it to arrive But our brains are always looking for love and try to reward it for being engaged in social relationships. And it always encourages us to interact with others. To connect something that was missing

“Love is a biological necessity that is vital to a person’s well-being. The same goes for fresh water, food and exercise,” says Stephanie Cacioppo, a neuroscientist at the University of Oregon. and the author of the book ‘Wired for Love : A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance’ said

Although “heart” is often talked about in connection with love, But almost all of this comes from the brain, which has been evolutionarily programmed to produce and release hormones. When we experience attractiveness, affection, and commitment in a relationship

“Because love is important to health. well-being Including our reproduction (love) cannot be left to learning on its own,” Sue Carter, director emeritus of the Kinsey Institute in the state of indiana and a biologist who is an expert in social bonds said

Understanding that How does the brain receive and send signals? Including if those signals are insufficient, what will happen? It is especially useful in exploring the world of relationships, love, heartbreak, and loss.

When hormones come down to being players

The mind and body use a network of neurotransmitters and a variety of chemical molecules. To coordinate various functions which influence our emotions. And these chemicals are called ‘hormones’. They are part of the body’s endocrine system. They are linked together through important structures in the brain, such as the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, basal ganglia, or cingulate gyrus.

Collectively, these structures make up the so-called ‘limbic’ system, which is the oldest part of the brain in evolutionary terms. This is where memories are stored. smell processing And it is the main brain region involved in attractiveness and affection.

It helps hormones “stimulate us to introduce ourselves. and reduce various fears when we meet a new date for the first time It also makes us feel as if we are soul mates over time,” says Cynthia Kubu, a neurologist at Cleveland Clinic’s Neurorehabilitation Center in Ohio.

The 7 love hormones

When we talk about the emotions associated with love These hormones often play a particularly important role in that event. And this is all

Oxytocin (Oxytocin) is a hormone that has been nicknamed “Oxytocin”. ‘The hormone of love’ because it helps build social relationships for us. increase trust and deepens the feeling of attraction. It is usually released when two people engage in conversation, touch, play together, or participate in other activities.

“Oxytocin increases feelings of connection. and commitment to someone,” said Theresa Larkin, associate professor of medical sciences in the Graduate School of Medicine. of the University of Wollongong in Australia, said

And sometimes it hurts our memories. (about an ex-lover) shows that this hormone has a dark side as well.

Vasopressin, a hormone that stimulates the feelings of excitement associated with loving others. It is stimulated by certain behaviors that are the result of oxytocin. Research indicates that it makes us feel more inclined to protect those we care about when there is a threat. At the same time it also shows that This chemical can cause feelings of possessiveness or jealousy. (But it can be relieved with oxytocin)

“Oxytocin and vasopressin It’s a dynamic dance that helps explain the benefits and costs associated with love,” explains Carter.

Dopamine is one of the most studied feel-good reward hormones in the body. It makes us feel good when we do certain things, like food, exercise, or even medicine. As a couple, dopamine tends to be released in large amounts when kissing. or have sex

“When dopamine is released It stimulates the reward pathway that creates a love ‘high’ and increases our desire and motivation to stay with our love,” says Larkin. This response is strong enough to be comparable. with the euphoria that occurs when using drugs like cocaine

and 5.) Testosterone and estrogen. Also known as ‘sex hormones’, it plays a key role in making couples want to reproduce. and jointly take responsibility for “It’s a basic human desire to have sex,” says Larkin. She adds that these hormones are related to passion or lust. that stimulates sex And dopami rewards that action.

6.) Noradrenaline (Noradrenaline) creates a physiological response when we meet new people or fall in love. These include a racing heart. increased energy or sweaty palms This hormone is also involved in memory storage. Which is why so many couples can clearly remember their first date.

7.) Serotonin is one of the few chemicals that has been shown to decrease in some stages of romantic attraction. These lower levels appear similar to those seen in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, says Sandra Langeslag, a behavioral neuroscientist at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Has published research on this hormone that

“People in love and people with OCD are similar in the sense that They are both passionate” (to the point of obsession).

Although different activities (non-romantic) may also cause these chemicals to be released. But hormones are not always stimulated by a single factor. And many things can produce more than one chemical at the same time, such as dopamine and serotonin Both contribute to obsessive thoughts.

“Love is an extremely complex sensory phenomenon. It involves all our senses. and it affects the brain in many subtle and mysterious ways,” said Jacquie Olds, associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Health Benefits of Love

No matter why or when hormones related to love are released, But these chemicals have different benefits for physical and mental health.

“When the web of love opens It often activates the brain’s reward center. Releases large amounts of neurotransmitter chemicals and natural ‘opium’. which makes us feel happy It also helps our body and mind deal with pain,” Cacioppo said.

Some of the proven benefits of love include: reduced stress better sleep Better immune health reduced pain (Research shows that more oxytocin in the blood is beneficial for treatment.) Less depression. Problem solving skills improve Improved intelligence, function and longevity.

Helps maintain both romantic (couple) and non-romantic relationships. (Friends or family) “Create biological conditions that promote relaxation, growth, and recovery throughout the lifespan,” Carter says. “Building relationships with others is essential to good health.”

Why are you blinded by love?

Different stages of a relationship may provide different benefits. But research shows that certain hormones are higher in the early stages of falling in love. While other hormones provide long-term benefits

Noradrenaline is released more often at the beginning of a relationship in a couple. It was as if many strange things had appeared. This results in the brain being in a mode. ‘Proceed with caution’

“At the beginning of the relationship Adrenaline increases causing a feeling of bloating and a faster heart rate. It also reduces activity in the brain related to decision-making. That is why you ‘Can’t see another person’s mistakes in the early stages of love or infatuation,’ Lucy Brown, Professor of Clinical Neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York

As that contact grows and the level of engagement increases. The initial passion experienced by dopamine is replaced by other hormones.

“Oxytocin plays an important role in maintaining long-term relationships,” Brown says. It also creates feelings of safety and security when there is uncertainty or fear. Vasopressin is also important in the long term. It creates loyalty and increases feelings of protection and pride in one’s relationships.

What happens when we break up?

While the physical and mental health benefits of these hormones are important, “we also come at the cost of our emotional response when we lose a loved one,” Carter said.

Breaking up can mean losing the feel-good hormone dopamine. and oxytocin continuously At the same time, stress-related hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine increase. (norepinephrine)

“A breakup suddenly leaves us without the neurotransmitters we’re used to,” says Olds. “Like a drug addict who hates eating food. Bad breakups also cause a lot of physical suffering.”

For some people, this can include physical discomfort as well.

“Breakups trigger a stress response in both the body and the brain. It would respond as if something had stimulated physical pain,” Brown explained. An intense desire suddenly surged. It’s similar to the cravings of a drug addict who doesn’t take drugs.

“You search for people who are no longer there. to find the good feelings you once associated with the person you love,” Cacioppo said. “This is what heartbreak or unrequited love looks like.”

Kubu said these feelings of loss or longing can manifest in other ways, such as a decreased appetite. weight changes Disturbed sleep, anxiety, or even depression Such feelings can be greatly amplified if their partner dies. In serious cases This can have dire consequences for those who remain.

“Oxytocin is very important in protecting all tissues. Especially the heart,” Carter said.

When a once flowing relationship suddenly stops with the death of a loved one. It can produce a severe cardiovascular response. For many people, the surge of stress hormones combined with a sudden loss can cause blood pressure to spike, heart to race, and breathing to become difficult.

Although it is a terrible physical symptom in most people, But in people with heart disease “It can be at risk of a heart attack,” Larkin said. This is why the rare medical condition is so named. ‘Broken heart’

“One grief study in the 1960s looked at 4,486 widows in England,” Carcioppo says, “in the first six months after they lost their partner. They are 40% more likely to die than married people of the same age.”

Fortunately, the terrible consequences associated with separation from a loved one, whether it be a breakup or death, lessen over time. This includes when we build and strengthen new relationships as well.

“When social bonds are broken due to separation. or losing a spouse It takes time for the nervous system to rebalance and readjust,” Carter said. “We may experience the pain of a relationship that has been lost forever. But when a new bond arises These may also help with the emotional pain associated with loss.”

Taking care of yourself can also help. “After the first day or the hardest week has passed. It’s important to make things you enjoy to reduce stress hormones. and increase happiness hormones,” Larkin recommends.

How you do it depends on where you are. (during the stage of the relationship)

Knowing where you stand may expand your comfort zone in forming other relationships, including new romantic relationships. If you’re in a relationship that seems to lack love and feel-good hormones, Langeslake suggests increasing the time you spend with your partner.

and focus on the positives and happy memories together. Or create physical intimacy to stimulate chemical release and improve connection.

But what if you’re not in a romantic relationship? Hormones related to love can also be stimulated by spending quality time with family members. or close friends, hug them, enjoy nature And even interacting with pets can help.

One thing you shouldn’t do is accept living alone. Like other mammals, humans did not evolve to live in isolation. “Love is not a choice. It’s not something we would do if it didn’t exist,” Cacioppo said.

“Love is a biological necessity.”

Searched and edited by Witit Borompichaichartkul

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#youve #heartbroken #love #loveheartbreak #science

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