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By Dr Pius Musau
Romantic love has finally been exposed for what it is; nature’s way of ensuring propagation of species.
It is a powerful concoction of hormones and neurotransmitters, which play havoc on at least three areas in the brain, to cause responses that culminate in the production and caring of babies.
The brain works perfectly well, until it gets accosted by chemicals that convert it into a mush of feelings, and anticipated rewards. That state of impaired cognitive function is called falling madly in love.
Stages of romantic love
Love has three stages that are controlled by different chemicals:
• Arousal depends on the male and female hormones testosterone and oestrogen that are in varying amounts in the respective genders. This is the stage of intense desire for each other sexually.
• Attraction towards each other is under the influence of epinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. This is the stage in which bodily responses to each other’s presence are characterised by butterflies in the tummy, racing hearts and sweaty palms, as a result of these neurotransmitters. Those smitten in this stage have been noted to exhibit features akin to the mental ailment obsessive-compulsive disorder and will be obsessed with the partner.
• Attachment is the third stage that kicks in to safeguard the effects of the preceding stages. It is governed by oxytocin and vasopressin hormones that cause intense sense of bonding in readiness for long term relationships and rearing of children.
These stages are fleeting moments safe for attachment. Environment and other chemicals such as alcohol can influence arousal, while attraction lasts weeks to a few months.
The hormones and neurotransmitters will be moderated by individual characteristics, societal norms and our primal instincts of propagating the species by identifying partners, bonding and conceiving.
Can love be induced?
Research with animals has suggested that the stages can be artificially induced or prolonged.
What this has taught the human species is the reason why love seems seasonal, and ways of keeping it alive.
It also can explain why any individual in love can have the three stages, directed at different people all at the same time; be aroused by someone, have intense attraction towards another, and be committed or attached to a third person.
Science is yet to find a drug that would shield people in love from the usual tumbles of human life and challenges.
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