Hormones and Love??

Hormones, controlled by the brain, can be held responsible for why humans feel such feelings when in love. Serotonin, Dopamine, and Oxytocin are only a few on the list correlating with love. The one most formally connected with love is Oxytocin. Informally known as the ‘Love Hormone,’ the naturally occurring substance is produced by the hypothalamus and released during times of intimacy such as hugs, sex, and the birthing process. Although Oxytocin holds much correlation with love, it is not responsible for the initial feelings of love. The initial attraction begins in the VTA, short for the ventral tegmental area. As our brain perceives the potential suitor in question as a reward, the brain releases Dopamine, a hormone that is responsible for making you “feel good” and helps nerve cells send messages to each other. Dopamine is crucial for health, not only mentally but also physically as it holds much correlation within the body. CNN Health states that “Dopamine also plays a role in movement, motivation, mental focus, psychosis, even the production of breast milk. But it’s best known for its starring role in addiction – and romance” With the increasing levels of Dopamine, it explains the euphoric feelings of initial love and how an individual feels like “they are in the clouds.” Additionally, Dopamine triggers the release of testosterone in men and estrogen in women. The renowned artist Beyonce, her song “Crazy in Love” actually holds some factual information about love. Your body releases cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, especially when you do not know if the initial crush likes you or not, but it is not completely responsible for the initial reaction. Overall the initial hormone can be given to Phenylethylamine, a hormone that “provokes the dizzy sensation some people feel when they're falling in love”(Williamson 4). The release of that hormone initiates the response of norepinephrine, which helps the body regulate cortisol and dopamine levels. Such hormones release responses that not only humans feel as emotions, but also feel physically throughout their body.