We have all fallen in love sometimes, and there is no doubt that it is an incredible sensation, at the same time anguishing one. Here we explain what happens when we fall in love following a line shared by most published studies.
Falling in love is an emotional state characterized by the feeling of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction that is preceded by the attraction to another person. This stage leads us to an altered state of consciousness, influencing our body to the point of leading to erroneous decisions.
Sexual attraction would be the phase before falling in love. This desire for the other is determined, among other factors, by the activation of certain brain areas because of substances emitted by the other, pheromones, or biological changes in oneself.
Sexual attraction
Our body secretes various substances when we face a stimulus that attracts us (the person, or the idea of having it nearby). Thus, there is an increase in testosterone or estrogen, increasing desire. In turn, this desire leads to an increase in adrenaline, glucose, and phenylethylamine.
These neurotransmitters make, when we feel sexual attraction, our body is activated, increasing the heart rate, sweating, preparing our organs for sexual response and to feel pleasure.
According to some authors, this feeling of uncontrollable desire for the other can last about two years. It is around that time when a decrease in desire hormones is observed. However, it overlaps with the rise of another hormone, known as that of love, oxytocin.
Falling in love
Falling in love leads us to feel tremors, to pale or blush, feelings of discomfort, stuttering, and loss of control of emotions. But why does this happen?
Numerous studies support that falling in love is, a priori, as an addiction, which includes withdrawal and even tolerance.
Neurobiology
When you feel desire for someone, the nervous system activates the endocrine system to prepare it for sex. However, the absence of the person and the inability to satisfy the desires leads to the inhibition of the same.
The prefrontal regions inhibit the impulse and, in view of the increase in phenylethylamine, vasopressin, and other hormones, dopamine is produced in large quantities until segregating endorphin.
All this produces an imbalance in different systems, such as the dopaminergic. This inability to consummate desire leads to a decrease in serotonin that causes a lack of interest in activities, insomnia, decreased appetite, concentration ...
For its part, the increase in acetylcholine leads to obsessive and recurring thoughts about the desired person. We talk about compulsive behaviors, such as constantly looking at your photo or checking if you have written to us.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone that secretes the brain, specifically in the hypothalamus. Although men and women produce oxytocin, their production is higher in women, and it increases during orgasm, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
In both humans and other animals, this substance is related to care. Thus, the more oxytocin, the more protection tendency.
That is when, in addition to the attraction, a component of tenderness and care is added. A need appears to be together for a long time, to watch over the other and to feel reciprocated, so that both feel very well with the presence of the other.
How long does it last?
Taking into account all the processes underlying the infatuation, it is estimated that the common crush has a short duration, ranging from weeks to a year. Interestingly, there seems to be a relationship between the age of the lovers and the duration of the crush: the younger, the shorter the crush lasts, but the more intense it is.
Despite this, the crush can be extended. Given that it is composed of sexual desire and positive affection and care, these aspects can be, and should be, kept alive for as long as possible. Going to a more settled love phase does not mean that our body cannot continue reacting and giving us "all those aphrodisiacs who feel at the beginning."
Falling in love is a combo between the high sexual attraction and the imbalance of the organism, which as contacts increase, gives way to a more intimate bond. You begin to know the other person and consider whether you want to continue with it or not.
Attachment has been added to sexual attraction, resulting in falling in love. But it is after this stage when it begins to raise the possibility of going beyond. According to experts, if at this point, the other person is considered to have values and a personality compatible with their own, it is when the love bond occurs.
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