Love is undeniably a beautiful thing, but equally as confusing. The wave of emotions humans feel when they fall in love can sometimes be overwhelming. There is more to the phrase “having chemistry with someone” than most people realize. Contrary to popular belief, love doesn’t occur in the heart; the brain is responsible for these feelings. With time, other body parts join in. If you haven’t wondered what happens to our bodies when we fall in love, this piece attempts to settle the matter for you.
How Falling in Love and Drug Addiction Compare
First of all, being in love is similar to a drug addiction. The only difference is that the drug here is a person. In 2010, a team of researchers at Rutgers University did a study that showed the similarity between being in love and being addicted to drugs. In both, the human brain experiences euphoria because of the production of hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and vasopressin.
The purpose of these hormones is to enable you to bond better with your partner and create a strong connection. Just like drugs, the more time is spent between two lovers, the more addicted they become to one another. For most people who are genuinely in love, it isn’t easy to be away from the other person.
How Various Parts of Our Bodies React to Falling in Love
When you’re in love, various body parts react differently. For instance, your pupils dilate when you see them – it doesn’t matter whether it’s at the movies, a bar, or at home. Experts attribute the pupils’ dilation to stimulation of the body’s nervous system. It also becomes challenging to keep your eyes away from them. There’s that constant desire to look at their faces or body parts that you like.
In some cases, your heart rate also increases when you see them or become intimate. The boost in anxiety can also make your hands sweatier, and you may feel butterflies in your stomach. These feelings can create a desire to want to be with that person, the addiction we mentioned earlier.
The other reaction in your body that occurs as a result of being in love is feeling sick. Have you ever heard brides say they can’t eat during their weddings? This is mainly caused by the release of the stress hormone cortisol and the contraction of blood vessels in the stomach.
How Falling in Love Affects Other Aspects of Our Lives
Losing appetite mainly occurs during the first days of the relationship. As time goes by, you get used to your boyfriend or girlfriend, and the stress hormone stops being produced.
Being in love can sometimes give you hysterical strength and super reflexes. Because of the value you have accorded to that person, your body may shift into superhero mode to help you save that person in case of danger. This is the same thing that happens to parents and people in fear.
Voices also change when people are in love. Surprisingly, the voice gets higher when talking to someone you love. Women’s voices tend to get more feminine when talking to men they are attracted to. As for men, their voices become higher but softer. The way a man speaks to his friends isn’t the same way he talks to his lover.
Why Do We Worry More When We Are in Love?
It’s normal to worry when your partner is not around. Because of the attachment, whenever your partner leaves, you start to crave their presence. In such scenarios, you may start feeling anxious or depressed. Worry levels differ between couples who stay together and those in long-distance relationships – those in long-distance relationships know how to better cope with loneliness. However, they may retain the connection by attaching to something such as their partner’s voice. It’s why couples in long-distance relationships spend a lot of time on the phone.
Is Falling In Love Always a Good Thing?
On the negative side, love can break your heart. In the event of a breakup, divorce, or death of a loved one, a condition called Stress-induced Cardiomyopathy can occur. It’s just like a heart attack, with symptoms such as chest pain, elevated heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a life-threatening condition that can damage the heart. Fortunately, it is rare, and if caught early, it can be treated and managed in a few days.
Most people report having a higher sex drive during the first few months of a relationship. It’s difficult for new couples to keep their hands off each other. For men, the sex drive remains high throughout the relationship. On the other hand, it drops gradually in women. Most couples these days have identified ways to increase their libidos to keep the relationship healthy.
Why Do Most People Gain Weight When They Fall in Love
After a while, most partners end up gaining weight. After moving in together, both men and women can gain significant weight. Living with someone you love makes you feel more relaxed with food and other life choices. It’s possible to stop going to the gym as often as you did. The fact that your partner may regularly prepare your favorite meals can contribute to weight gain.
Falling in Love and Sleeping Patterns
Being in love can lead to trouble sleeping, especially in the first few weeks. Feelings of anxiety are known to affect a person’s sleep pattern. Nights before a date can make you both excited and anxious, thus affecting your sleep schedule.
The Key Takeaway
Irrespective of how the chemicals in your brain make you feel and the changes experienced in your body, you need to be cautious. During the first stages, these feelings can trick you into ignoring red flags, which can be disastrous later. It’s important to remember that we are in charge of how we feel. Take time to understand how your body reacts to love and ensure you are in control.