The University of Pavia found a brain chemical was likely to be responsible for the first flush of love.Now, stop being so damned sentimental.
Researchers said raised levels of a protein was linked to feelings of euphoria and dependence experienced at the start of a relationship.
But after studying people in long and short relationships and single people, they found the levels receded in time.
The team analysed alterations in proteins known as neurotrophins in the bloodstreams of men and women aged 18 to 31, the Psychoneuroendocrinology journal reported.
They looked at 58 people who had recently started a relationship and compared the protein levels in the same number of people in long-term relationships and single people.
In those who had just started a relationship, levels of a protein called nerve growth factors, which causes tell-tale signs such as sweaty palms and the butterflies, were significantly higher.
Of the 39 people who were still in the same new relationship after a year, the levels of NGF had been reduced to normal levels.
November 28, 2005
Scientists say "romantic love" lasts one year.
Face reality. You are just some chemicals:
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12 comments:
Chemicals? What's wrong with chemicals?
Wasn't there a major company that once made a pile with the slogan "Better Living through Chemistry," or something like that (and, Ann, I'll be shocked if you don't get that reference).
Then there's this.
Yes..but what triggers the brain chemical 'likely to be responsible for the first flush of love'?
bearbee: Whatever it is, it's bound to be an hallucinogen, doncha think?.
(Happy to say I've retained a bit of it, though, as we move toward our 11th wedding anniversary. Or, according to this article, the 10th anniversary of our Losing our Nerve Growth Factor [NGF].)
(Although, the GOEON Growth Factor seems healthy enough. Kidding! I'm kidding. Glad to be married, here.)
"Better Living Through Chemistry"... Is there an alternative to living through chemistry? Living, dying, better, worse .... isn't it all chemistry?
Ann. You're getting very close to immersing yourself into the "body fluids" mess again.
[I]sn't it all chemistry?
Except for where it's Math.
You know, this could be the greatest weapon against divorce ever concieved.
Now that we've identified this chemical, we're a step closer to developong a drug that delivers or induces the production of the chemical. Then, when a couple finds itself in need of relationship counseling, they can reignite the romance directly as a supplement to their efforts to work out their problems, quite literally renewing their relationship.
Which, I admit, sounds quite cold and calculating. But as someone who's alive today because of modern antidepressants, I've become used to the idea of better living through artificial neurochemistry.
Here's a song by Bush (the band, not the president) to go along with your post:
"The Chemicals Between Us"
[from the final chorus]
The chemicals between us
The army of achievers
Lying in this bed
The chemicals displaced
There is no lonlier face
Than lying in this bed
The chemicals between us
The chemicals between us
The chemicals
itunes has a clip of the chorus.
I've always like the song, but never thought it would really work for any kind of romantic situation.
Will this research lead to innoculations or supplements?
Both have merits. If you innoculate people against the 'spark' of first love than you might expect that they'll make more rational choices with regards to life partners.
On the other hand, if you provide a 'relationship viagra' pill full of these hormones than you can manipulate a couple's limbic system into believing that they are still in the flush of new love for as long as they are willing to pay for the treatments.
Our you could leave science out of the process altogether and leave nature be.
(and have they studied domesticated dogs compared to wild dogs, maybe their excessive imprinting on their human alphas comes from an inability to turn these chemicals off)
You are just some chemicals
Dibs on ununquadium!
Hmmm, my "romantic love" has lasted over 30 years....
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