The Science of Falling in Love

Fateema Patel

Falling in love is a unique and individual experience. It is often described as an ‘explosion of fireworks’ or ‘coming home’. It is an indescribable feeling. Whatever love maybe it is made of the same mix of chemicals travelling around your body. To describe the science of love is, undoubtedly, to lose its very essence, so, allow me to introduce to you the most unromantic definition of love: biochemistry.

There are multiple different chemicals that contribute to love. Dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin are the most well-known ‘happy hormones’ and when you are in love they skyrocket in production. In addition to these, there are two other hormones: norepinephrine and phenylethylaminehuge intensifiers to how you feel.

Serotonin has been commonly referred to as the feel-good hormone, so it should come as no surprise that it plays a part in encouraging love. However, though serotonin aids in feelings of happiness short-term, in the long run it is also imperative to maintaining a stable and healthy relationship, leading to a phase where a person experiences more intense happiness over stretched periods of time.

Phenylethylamine is called the ‘love drug’ and is a substance that emphasizes and intensifies all emotions, making you feel dizzy with love. It is a hormone that forms the real chemistry of love, making you feel content and satisfied. Ever wondered why chocolate is the perfect solace after a breakup? (I would imagine not- you would be too busy being heartbroken). But if you were, it would be because chocolate temporarily provides serotonin to replace the dropping levels post-breakup, releasing phenylethylamine- which creates a lovelike feeling.

Have you ever started stuttering, stammering, feel your heart begin to pound around that certain attractive someone? Norepinephrine, when triggered, makes you feel jittery, energetic, and euphoric. This is because it stimulates adrenaline production, increasing heart rate, allowing you to sleep less and think less clearly. Who knew love could be so blind?

I desperately hope I have not beaten all the romance out of you and- although I do not expect you to be falling head over heels at the idea of chemicals, hormones and neurotransmitters sending signals- I do hope you will have been increasingly interested in the idea of love and biochemistry uniting although I have been unable to cover every scientific aspect of love. Irrespective of the many, many ideas of love it should always be celebrated (no matter how unimaginative and unfeeling some ideas are!)