These potentials explain why some scholars consider SSRIs “anti-love” drugs. So for some couples, drugs like SSRIs counteract bio-based systems that support the emotions and drives toward romantic attachment, and in doing so, interfere with relationship functioning.
Indeed, they are already being used therapeutically to support couples in the US. The experience of love is underpinned by four neurochemicals: oxytocin, dopamine, beta-endorphin and serotonin.
When we're in love, we often experience increased production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is also activated when we experience addiction. The hormone oxytocin also produces euphoric feelings that are similar to those produced by opiate drugs. Like dopamine, it is also considered a "love neurotransmitter."
Oxytocin, known also as the love hormone, provokes feelings of contentment, calmness, and security, which are often associated with mate bonding.
Although romantic love and drug addiction are similar in the early stages, they are different in subsequent stages, as the addictive characteristics of love gradually disappear as the romantic relationships progresses. However, the addictive characteristics are gradually magnified with repeated use of drugs of abuse.
Being in love is like a drug addiction
Researchers concluded that falling in love is much like the sensation of feeling addicted to drugs with the release of euphoria, including brain chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, adrenaline, and vasopressin.
Changes in brain chemistry: Scientific studies indicate that your brain reacts significantly when you're missing someone you love: The oxytocin and dopamine that's released during a relationship suddenly stop flowing. You become chemically dependent on their presence in your life.
Since love shares some of the neural underpinnings with addiction, you will need to replace your fix of oxytocin or dopamine. You can do this without popping a pill, says Young. Exercise ramps up dopamine levels, and bodily contact and social interaction can raise oxytocin.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved two drugs — flibanserin (Addyi) and bremelanotide (Vyleesi) — to address low desire or arousal in females.
The initial happy feelings of being in love is stimulated by 3 chemicals in the brain: noradrenaline that stimulates adrenaline production causing that racing heart and sweaty palms; dopamine, the feel-good chemical; and phenylethylamine that is released when we're near our crush, giving us butterflies in our tummies.
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
That could be the effects of phenylethylamine, a chemical which stimulates the brain's pleasure centres and which is released when we fall in love. And the food that contains the highest concentrations of phenylethylamine? Yep—chocolate. No wonder it's so popular on Valentine's Day.
MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 'ecstasy') is used recreationally, reportedly because it increases feelings of empathy, sociability, and interpersonal closeness. One line of evidence suggests that MDMA produces these effects by releasing oxytocin, a peptide involved in social bonding.
Love and Other Drugs is actually based on a memoir called Hard Sell: the Evolution of a Viagra Salesman.
According to love biologist Dawn Maslar, the chemicals dopamine and vasopressin are vital for a man to start falling in love, whereas it's oxytocin and dopamine for women. Oxytocin, often nicknamed the love or cuddle hormone, also plays an important role in men but at a later stage.
Physical attraction, sexual compatibility, empathy, and emotional connection are key to making a man fall in love with a woman.
Researchers have scanned the brains of people who are madly in love and found a heavy surge of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain's reward system that helps people feel pleasure. Dopamine, along with other chemicals, gives us that energy, focus, and obsession we feel when we're wild about someone.
People who use cocaine get less enjoyment out of social interactions and have less empathy for others, a new study indicates. After cannabis, cocaine is the most frequently used illegal drug worldwide, including throughout Europe.
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Reduces Positive Empathy - PMC. The .
"More often than not, the love addict will be passionately attracted to someone who is emotionally unavailable, at times withdrawn and unresponsive, or someone who will disregard/neglect the relationship."
It is also possible for a love addict to be a narcissist. This creates an individual who will resort to whatever is necessary to meet their own needs at the expense of all around them. They will be dominant in the relationship and demand to make all Page 5 4 decisions.
The causes of love addiction are rooted in childhood trauma. Individuals lacking self-esteem or who had less-than-nurturing childhoods may grow up looking for constant reassurance from others. Relationship addicts also tend to enjoy the feeling of excitement that being “in love” brings.