Explaining Love The Biochemical Way

By Glennadi Rualo

Most of our actions are controlled by means of chemicals inside our body, these
chemicals ranges from elements to compounds and to complex molecules. Each
movement in our body is also due to the movement of these elements, it is just
like a domino but the cascading effect increases. Not only movements, but
relationships whether to the opposite sex, to parents, to siblings and others are
controlled by neurochemicals in our body, and some disorders on the balance of
these chemicals causes disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Not once in our lives we felt love, like being loved or loved someone, it is a basic
need and a social need. When did we first felt it? And when was the last?
At birth
During normal delivery and as the mother cuddle her child for breastfeeding the
mother and her newborn baby are swamped in a cocktail of hormones. This time is
a crucial time for the mother and baby to bond, to become attached to fall in
love. Around the time of birth oestrogen, progesterone, and prolactin blood levels
are reaching highs in the mother, and circulating into the fetus. Beta-endorphin has
also been steadily rising throughout pregnancy peaking at high levels during labor
in response to the pain felt, and is also generated by the fetus. Oxytocin is released
in a pulsatile manner periodically throughout the pregnancy by both mother and
fetus, while labor is characterised by strong pulses of oxytocin that cause uterine
contractions. After birthing Matthiesen et al (2001) reported a significant rise in
maternal oxytocin in response to the massaging movements as well as the suckling
of the newborn baby.
Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus, a part of the Limbic
System, and sequestered in the posterior pituitary gland to be released
in a pulsatile manner when stimulated. This stimulation could occur
from sharing a meal with friends; in response to a hug from a friend;
while making love; during birthing and immediately after birth; and it is
an integral part of breastfeeding. Oxytocin is described as the
hormone of love because it is consistently involved in all forms of
love.
Beta-endorphin is a naturally occurring opiate that, like other
opiates, acts as an analgesic, inducing feelings of pleasure, euphoria,
and dependency or, with a partner, mutual dependency. Betaendorphin is found in high concentration in pregnancy and increases

throughout labor when levels of beta-endorphin reach those found in

male endurance athletes during maximal exercise on a treadmill. It
influences the beginning of attachment between mother and baby.
Beta-endorphin is also found in colostrum the neonate receiving it
from his mother transplacentally prior to birth and more as soon as he
starts to suckle, as well as his own endogenous production.
Prolactin is the mothering hormone, regulating maternal behaviour
and suppressing sexual desire. Oxytocin and prolactin together in high
concentrations after the birth of the baby cause the mothers love to
be directed toward her baby. The innate behaviours exhibited by the
baby when placed on his mothers chest combine to increase oxytocin
and prolactin levels in his mother you could think the baby is
preprogrammed to make his mother love him.
Adrenalin is the stress hormone, in normal birthing it only appears
during the last couple of contractions prior to birth. The action can be
seen in the mother as she gains energy, focus, strength, and alertness
and may complain of thirst. The baby also gets a burst of adrenalin
being born alert, wide-open eyes and dilated pupils. The mother is
fascinated by the newborns eyes returning the gaze like star-struck
lovers.
The scene is set for a dependent baby who wants and needs love and protection,
born to a mother who is primed to love strongly and protectively.

On the first crush

When two people are attracted to each other, a virtual explosion of adrenaline-like
nuerochemicals gush forth. Fireworks explode and we see stars. PEA or
phenylethylamine is a chemical that speeds up the flow of information between
nerve cells. "PEA gives you that silly smile that you flash at strangers. When we
meet someone who is attractive to us, the whistle blows at the PEA factory."
Also, involved in chemistry are dopamine and norepinephrine, chemical cousins
of amphetamines. Dopamine makes us feel good and norepinephrine stimulates
the production of adrenaline. It makes our heart race. These three chemicals
combine to give us infatuation or "chemistry." It is why new lovers feel euphoric and
energized, and float on air. It is also why new lovers can talk or send text messeges
all night for weeks on end.

During intimacy
Cuddling

The chemical oxytocin has been termed the cuddling chemical. Linked
to milk production in women, oxytocin makes women and men calmer
and more sensitive to the feelings of others. It plays an important role
in romantic love as a sexual arousal hormone that signals orgasm and
prompts cuddling between lovers before, during, and after lovemaking.
"Oxytocin" is the "bonding chemical" that is released during sex, and
the amount released increases with the quality and quantity of the sex:
more orgasms equal more oxytocin and, therefore, more of a sense of
closeness, all of which play a big part in that feeling of being in love.
Attachment
When infatuation subsides, a new group of chemicals takes over. This
new type of chemical reward is created by endorphins. These
morphine-like opiates calm and reassure with intimacy, dependability,
warmth, and shared experiences. Not as exciting or as stressful as PEA,
but steadier and more addictive.
The longer two people have been married, the more likely it is that
they'll stay married. In part, they become addicted to the endorphins
and marital serenity. It is the absence of endorphins that make longtime partners yearn for each other when apart. Absent endorphins also
play a part in grief from the death of a spouse.
The heated infatuation induced by PEA, along with other
amphetamine-like chemicals, and the more intimate attachment
fostered and prolonged by endorphins. "Early love is when you love the
way the other person makes you feel," explains psychiatrist Mark
Goulston of the University of California, Los Angeles. "Mature love is
when you love the person as he or she is."
Monogamy
Only about three percent of mammals are monogamous, mating and
bonding with one partner for life. Unfortunately, scientists tell us
humans are not one of these naturally monogamous mammals. Maybe
a few injections of vasopressin would help us. It has been called the
monogamy chemical. In an experiment, by isolating male voles before
and after mating, scientists found that lifelong mating could be linked
to the action of vasopressin. Before mating, the male vole is friendly
to male and female voles alike. Within 24 hours after mating, the male
vole is hooked for life. When the chemical vasopressin kicks in, he is
indifferent to all females but one. He is also totally aggressive to other
males with a classic exhibition of the jealous husband syndrome.
Finding New love

PEA phenylethylamine highs don't last forever, a fact that lends support
to arguments that passionate romantic love is short-lived. As with any
amphetamine, the body builds up a tolerance to PEA; thus it takes more
and more of the substance to produce love's special kick. After two to
three years, the body simply can't crank up the needed amount of PEA.
What Fisher calls the "four-year itch" shows up unmistakably in today's
divorce statistics. In most of the 62 cultures she has studied, divorce
rates peak around the fourth year of marriage. Fizzling chemicals spell
the end of delirious passion; for many people that marks the end of the
liaison as well.

Novel Application?
Neurotransmitters and other chemicals control our growth, development, what we
feel and as well as our personality. These chemicals are synthesized by our body in
a specific way at a specific timing, which means that it is dependent on the
interaction of our genes and the environment (social factors and economics). As
love is being understood biochemically, intervention might be possible in the future
for a lasting and fulfilling love that is, providing a good environment or nutritionally
providing those chemicals such as endorphins. To those who need to move on, a
dose of PEA might help.
References:
Economist, Science and Technology. The Science of Love. I get a kick out of you.
Published
12
Feb
2004,
retrieved
11
Feb,
2008
from
http://www.economist.com/printedition/PrinterFriendly.cfm?
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ID=2424049
Fisher, D. 2005. The Chemistry of Love: Could the first opportunity to fall in love
influence our ability to love for a lifetime? Paper presented at the Australian
Breastfeeding Association Healthy Children, Families and Communities
Workshop in Canberra, ACT.
Jarvie,

Catherine.
2003.
Falling
in
love:
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http://www.theage.com.au. Retrieved 12,Feb, 2008

of

chemistry?

McChristie P. 2008. What Is Chemistry in Love Relationships? Love and Chemistry

http://www.CyberParent.com. Retrieved 14 Feb, 2008