8 Ways Love Affects Your Brain, According to Science

Love is one of the strongest emotions in existence. When a person falls in love, their whole perception of the world can change. Think back to the last time you fell in love. You likely felt it on a physical, mental and emotional level. The way it feels to be in love can truly alter everything about you. And that is not just a feeling — its a fact. While it may seem like love is just a whimsical experience that exists merely in the emotional heart. But research has shown that love alters us in our physical body — namely in our brains. Love has the ability to actually change your brain chemistry, and in some surprising ways you may have never fathomed possible. To learn more about how love influences us on the deepest of levels, check out these 8 ways that love affects your brain, according to science.

Feelings of Euphoria

You know that feeling of absolute bliss when you first fall hard for someone? Science proves that this feeling is not merely your heart melting in adoration of your special someone. Your brain is actually deriving pleasure through its reward system when you are in love. Love triggers the release of dopamine, which is experienced as pleasure.

Attachment

Love also breeds feelings of security and attachment, when the love is healthy and good for you. This is because the brain releases oxytocin when in love, which can boost the feelings of trust and safety. This is triggered through actions like touching or kissing, which is why oxytocin is known as the “love hormone.”

Sacrificial Behavior

As you become more in love with your person, you likely become willing to make sacrifices and compromise for the betterment of them and the relationship. This is thought to be a result of the vagus nerve and how it is affected by love. You and your partner become synced through the vagus nerve, according to science — this sync makes you feel more in rhythm and connected to your partner, which can lead to a feeling of willingness to sacrifice and oneness.