The Biology of Romantic Love

[voluptuary_manque]

Progressive homes for the elderly encourage contact between them, wine with dinner, shared rooms for couples who meet in the home . . .

Anything less is a prison!

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

An article that appeared in Yahoo news. It looks like it's all oxytocin and vasopressin.

No, seriously, of course a lot of it is behavioral rather than biochemical, but it's an interesting little piece. (My bolds throughout)

*******


The science of romance: Brains have a love circuit
One of the research findings isn't so complimentary: Love works chemically in the brain like a drug addiction.

Hi, I'm Sal, and I'm a junkie.

 

[AllardChardon]

Yes, I wonder if I avoid dating and falling in love because of the addiction part of it all. I was very torn up when I broke it off with the best lover I ever had. We just couldn't get along out of bed. I jonesed hard for him for a long time and it was really painful. I have discovered those mellow "I love me" feelings of everything's okay on my own and I am quite cool with that. I might be done with the roller coaster ride of love forever. But, you never know.

 

[amicus]

As in "The Princess Bride", "True Love"; I thought this might become a 'writerly' thread concerning that poet's graveyard composed of old love poems.

Maybe even answer the oft asked question, does true love exist.

I think the Yahoo article was a condensed version of a Science Channel event several weeks back, The Science of Sex, with several episodes, one; "Appeal", the monogamous Voles were mentioned in that study also.

If every aspect of human behavior can be reduced to chemicals or the lack of them, I think the evolutionary point underlying, which was somewhat addressed in the program, is left lacking.

The program, as I recall, went heavily into human pair bonding in considering of continuance of species as human infants are helpless in the first few years of life and must have constant care and feeding, somewhat unlike most other species.

An amusing aspect...from a writer's point of view, is that perhaps a tenth of one percent will ever consider the discoveries mentioned and must bumble about in life seeking some unknown solution to an unknown sadness.

Perhaps that explains soap operas and romance novels.



amicus...

 

[AllardChardon]

Yes, love addicts do search for their 'fix' in many ways. Is there a support group for love addicts like sex addicts, I wonder.

 

[Huckleman2000]

You know, it occurs to me (reading this thread) that the success I've been having lately against my depression has a lot to do with learning to recognize, and ride out, reflexive hormonal reactions.
Now, if I can just do that, and hold onto a job...

 

[rgraham666]

That's why I can't work anymore. The urge to choke the shit out of foolish bullies is too overwhelming.

 

[Huckleman2000]

That's why I can't work anymore. The urge to choke the shit out of foolish bullies is too overwhelming.

Yeah, I see what you mean. :|

I'm trying to learn how to make and sell shit. So far, my ideas outpace my execution.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I'm trying to learn how to make and sell shit. So far, my ideas outpace my execution.

Heck, that's usually the case for most of us, in whatever field... writing, too.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

nailed that right! Too many ideas, too few hours in the day!

 

[AllardChardon]

Good morning, love and sex addicts. Where are we going to get our fix today? Why, the internet, of course!

 

[shereads]

I am cheered by this new evidence of our link to the vole.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I am cheered by this new evidence of our link to the vole.

Remind you of anyone in particular?

 

[shereads]

Remind you of anyone in particular?

You know Jeff?!

 

[Stella_Omega]

You know Jeff?!

Is that what he told you his name was?

Honey...

 

[Sir Victor]

I'd say it is in our most basic wiring. Good for pair bonding and good for survival of the species.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I'd say it is in our most basic wiring. Good for pair bonding and good for survival of the species.

Why does it have to be restricted to pairs? Just askin' . . .

 

[xssve]

Maybe he meant Bears.

 

[Sir Victor]

Why does it have to be restricted to pairs? Just askin' . . .

The pair doesn't have to last forever. There's always the next pair ....
There seems to be a drive also to protect which is good for the continuation of the species.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Nah, given a choice I'd rather turn the pair into a trio or quartet. Heck, an entire madrigal group would be the best of all. Twelve to sixteen voices all moaning in harmony, y'gotta love it.