Note to the reader

“Why do we fall in love?” I In answering the questiondevided the post in 2 parts.

Today I’m presenting to you the second and final part of the answer.

here! You can always read the first part, just click

Hello!

In this second part of “Why we do fall in love?”, I will go with you to dig deep inside our minds and discover the biological and cognitive reasons of why we fall in love.

A beautiful woman!

A charming curvy woman walks smoothly in front of you.

She has a square pale face surrounded a short smooth light brown hair, brown eyes behind big glasses, a small mouth and a long nose.

You and the world around is set on fire!

Maybe the woman I’m describing here is not the of one your dreams, or you’re a girl and you’re looking for a feminine description of a lovely man.

But I need to mention that this description is just for the purpose of the blog. (Or maybe it’s the description of the woman of my dreams :p)

Whatever, let’s go back to our love science …

Your mind is alert and react to any new changes in the environment, whenever an attractive person crosses your way,

whether this person is physically (her body, hair, look, and/or smell) and/or mentally attractive (his personality, way of thinking, and/or likes and dislikes), the first thing your body (your mind included) will feel is a rise in the heart beats rate, an increased level of (somewhat positive) stress, and of course a high level of excitement and happiness.

These symptoms are all caused by 2 hormones called Dopamine and Serotonin.

Dopamine: The happy chemical

Inside the brain, dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter—a chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerve cells.

In other words, dopamine is the messenger of feelings. A high release of dopamine causes euphoria, and happiness. A lack of it is a synonym of bad moods and depression.

Dopamine is also the chemical of addiction, it’s responsible for nicotine, drugs, sex, gambling and of course falling in love.

Humans are “addicted” to others in the same way as cigarettes, cocaine, games, or sexual intercourses.

When you fall in love, the level of dopamine in your brain will go up, and then you’ll do crazy and even stupid things for the one you love.

Increased energy, less need for sleep or food, and a focused attention are the biggest signs that dopamine rules and runs your mind.

The “happy chemical” triggers an intense rush of pleasure in you similar to what is released during the use of cocaine or nicotine.

Serotonin : The insane chemical

When you cannot stop thinking about the one you love, and her image is always in your mind, then you have

a low level serotonin, but a high level of “romantic” insanity, why?

Because you stop worrying about the world and persons around you, she’s your world, and she’s the only person

you care for, cannot think of anyone else. Serotonin is the hormone responsible of the most popular poems, books and songs about love.

Serotonin is the chemical who pushes your friends and parents to ask about why you have changed these days, why you have been daydreaming more and more?

In other words, serotonin is the chemical responsible of the obsessive thinking in romantic love. The more you have of serotonin, the more you’ll be obsessed with your significant other.

Final thoughts!

I actually don’t pretend to solve the love mystery, I have only given it a try using some cognitive science and my personal views on the subject.

I hope that I let you discover a little more about the emotion we call love and that I’ve turned your thinking on.

Love will always be the most complex emotion to explain because we humans are complex and difficult (but not impossible) to understand.

Let’s rise some dopamine and serotonin in your mind with this beautiful love song from Ed Sheeran.

See you!

Mohammed IBOURKI

The Curious Why Blog