We discuss about the feeling of falling in love as if we have been struck by Cupid’s arrow – it is powerful, amazing, sometimes wild and can feel like destiny. As time progresses, this primary bust of awareness usually disappears into a warm closeness.
But is there a physiological explanation behind these feelings? And why do we feel butterflies with that one person you do?
There are 3 particular stages of falling in love. The first, lust, is triggered by the stages of testosterone (men) and estrogen (women) in our bodies. The next, attraction, is the same feeling to the addictive race from specific medications or liquor. The last phase is love, which is when you may start to feel almost bonded and begin building long-term plans together.
The 3 phases of love
Phase 1: Lust is constrained by the levels of testosterone (men) and estrogen (women) in our bodies. This isn’t so distinct from other creatures on the universe.
Phase 2: Being attracted is the same feeling to the impact of particular drugs or alcohol. The sensation of happiness, and the discharge of a mixture of substances in the brain, such as dopamine (pleasure), adrenaline (fight or flight) and norepinephrine (alertness), can cause falling in love seem like an intense and great rush. Adrenaline, in specific, is the cause to your flushed cheeks, your palms being sweaty and your heart runs when you see someone you adore for the first time.
Phase 3: Love sees the discharge of dopamine and norepinephrine substituted with oxytocin (the ‘cuddle’ hormone), which is why you might start to feel almost bonded and begin making future plans.
Even though the 3 stages of love might appear frank, there are many other elements that impact who you end up falling in love with. A lot of us say we have a ‘standard’, but is that real? You better find out.