Love Concluded

It is true what they say, love is actually a drug.  Love has been shown to prevent pain, last decades, and even cause silly behavior (Barber).  Chemistry is to blame for all these reactions but research is still being done to get a full look into the mind of someone in love (Barber). 

It is still unknown if humans are naturally meant to be monogamous but “married couples are addicted to each others company and spend so much time together that it limits their opportunities for relationships with other people they find sexually attractive” (Barber).  The chemicals in our brain do wonders attracting us to others, creating butterflies and establishing bonds (Newman, 10).  Limited research is available on love in the online realm but various studies have shown that it is equally as emotion filled (Simply Zesty). 

No need to worry though if you are not one of those local, lucky people to find their brains overcome with this love drug.  The Daily Beast ranked Washington, D.C. No. 10 among the “Best Cities to Find a Date in 2012” (DailyBeast.com).  Glamour magazine also found that “86.7 percent of District women interviewed are happy with their dating lives” (DCist.com).  This survey was a partnership with Match.com dating service, proving that local online daters are finding love over the internet (DCist.com).  If anything was learned through this blog, it’s that online relationships spark the same feelings felt offline (Simply Zesty).  Our brains are hardwired to adapt to social networking’s ability to connect us with anyone, anywhere.  It’s human nature to bond and form relationships and with modern social networking, the chemical process of love is limitless.        

Work Cited

Barber, Nigel. “Monogamy Is Social Not Sexual.” The Human Beast. Psychology Today, 27 July 2010. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201007/monogamy-is-social-not-sexual&gt;.

“Best Cities to Find a Date in 2012, From Atlanta to Boston.” The Daily Beast. Newsweek. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2011/12/26/best-cities-to-find-a-date-in-2012-from-atlanta-to-boston-photos.html&gt;.

“Magazine Survey Says Single Women Are Happiest in D.C.” DCist. 8 Mar. 2012. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://dcist.com/2012/03/dc_single_women_the_happiest.php&gt;.

Newman, Judith. “The Science of Love.” Parade 12 Feb. 2012: 8+. Print.

“Why Your Internet Addiction Is Simply Biological.” Simply Zesty. 25 Aug. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. <http://www.simplyzesty.com/technology/the-science-behind-your-internet-addiction/&gt;.

Image Credit: http://www.nosexandthesuburbs.com/tag/love/

Love: It’s Truly All About Chemisty

Love makes people do crazy things, we all know that.  People will chase their significant other around the world to be with them, mothers will do whatever it takes to protect their children, and high school students will formulate extravagant plans just to ask their crushes to prom.  What drives these unexplainable emotions?  It is all linked back to chemistry and the human body.  These scientific terms do not make love any less real, it is just a way for us to explain our sometimes outrageous emotions. 

This blog has proven that love is something we can physically feel.  A computer screen separating two people does not hinder these feelings.  Technology’s integration into our everyday lives is something no one can ignore.  Love and acceptance is a human necessity, so it is only natural that we use technology to assist us on our quest for love.  Some may be skeptical of online dating’s ability to foster “real” emotions.  Social media interaction has been shown to excite chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, which is also released during face-to-face conversation with a love interest (Simply Zesty).  “When it comes to social networking, our dopamine receptors are spoiled for choice, much like a kid in a candy store” (Simply Zesty). 

Social networking and online dating does prevent the reception of pheromones (Newman, 10).  However, by narrowing down potential partners based on interests, online dating expedites the first date “get to know you” conversation and allows for successful relationships.  “According to statistics, the average length of courtship for marriages that met offline is 42 months while the average length of courtship for marriages that met online is 18.5 months” (Jezebel.com). 

It is certainly not necessary to have face-to-face contact to feel “real” emotions when technology is such an integral part of our lives.  From stress due to break-ups and fights, to attraction and bonding, people are able to experience these natural feelings in the online realm.  You better believe it, love is truly about the chemistry.   

Work Cited

Newman, Judith. “The Science of Love.” Parade 12 Feb. 2012: 8+. Print.

Ryan, Erin G. “Data Suggests That Online Dating Is Utterly Inescapable.” Jezebel. 4 Jan. 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. <http://jezebel.com/5873119/data-suggests-that-online-dating-is-utterly-inescapable&gt;.

“Why Your Internet Addiction Is Simply Biological.” Simply Zesty. 25 Aug. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. <http://www.simplyzesty.com/technology/the-science-behind-your-internet-addiction/&gt;.

Image Credit: http://www.geekologie.com/2011/10/geeky-ways-to-say-i-love-you-or-somethin.php

Brains in Love versus Brains in Lust: An fMRI Study

In the early stages of attraction, love can be easily confused with lust (Cohen).  Neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin are raging and the honeymoon phase can cause intense, emotional feelings (Cohen).  However, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has proven that the brain experiences different reactions during love and lust (“Love’s all in the brain”).

Scientists looked at images of the brain to study the chemical reactions to love versus lust (Cohen).  Studying brains in love “The scientists found that the caudate area of the brain – which is involved in cravings – became very active.  Another area that lit up: the ventral tegmental, which produces dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter that affects pleasure and motivation” (Cohen).  As mentioned in earlier posts, dopamine is responsible for the excitement and butterflies felt in a new relationship.  This high is only felt during a real connection rather than strictly sexual arousal (Cohen).

A sexually stimulated brain looked much different using fMRI (Cohen).  “They found activity in the hypothalamus and amygdale areas of the brain.  The hypothalamus controls drives like hunger and thirst and the amygdale handles arousal, among other things” (Cohen).  These findings align with Maslow’s famous pyramid of needs (McLeod).  Sex is placed on the lowest level, biological and physiological needs, along with food, drink, and air (McLeod).  The fact that the area of the brain that controls thirst and hunger also handles arousal concludes that sex is a need that is quite different from the experience of love (Cohen).

These biological findings can be transferred into the online realm (Simply Zesty).  Making a romantic connection online produces the same chemicals in one’s brain as does meeting face to face (Simply Zesty).  If love is sparked through social networking, dopamine and other love chemicals will establish feelings (Simply Zesty).  On the other hand, surfing the internet for porn does not trigger feelings of love (Cohen).  Instead, the areas of the brain that control lust and sexual arousal are activated (Cohen).  With today’s integration of online technology into our everyday lives, the brain has been able to relocate offline chemical reactions into online spaces (Simply Zesty).

Work Cited

Cohen, Elizabeth. “Loving with All Your … Brain.” CNNHealth. CNN.com, 14 Feb. 2007. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://articles.cnn.com/2007-02-14/health/love.science_1_scans-caudate-amygdala?_s=PM:HEALTH&gt;.

“Love’s All in the Brain: FMRI Study Shows Strong, Lateralized Reward, Not Sex, Drive.” EurekAlert! The American Physiological Society, 31 May 2005. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-05/aps-lai053105.php&gt;.

“Why Your Internet Addiction Is Simply Biological.” Simply Zesty. 25 Aug. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. <http://www.simplyzesty.com/technology/the-science-behind-your-internet-addiction/&gt;.

Image Credit: http://ind-k.blogspot.com/2011/04/brain-in-love.html

The Painful Effects of Break-Ups and Rejection

Conflicts in relationships take a toll on the body due to increased stress levels which have been shown to cause actual health problems (Smith).  Break-ups and separation have also been proven to cause a variety of biological reactions within the body (“How Does a Broken Heart”).  The aforementioned love chemicals, like oxytocin, decrease and “Mania and an obsession with regaining what has been lost may set in” (“How Does a Broken Heart”).  Physical pain may also be felt and scientists have found that it is possible to die of a broken heart (“Broken heart can be fatal”).

High pressure stress from break-ups can disrupt the rhythm of the heart and may induce heart attacks (“Broken heart can be fatal”).  In less extreme situations, physical pain is felt (Cohen).  As the stress hormone increases, people may experience sickness and fatigue due to a deteriorating immune system (“How Does a Broken Heart”).  Chemicals in the brain can also cause depression, insomnia, and a change in eating patterns (“How Does a Broken Heart”).

From break-ups and separation to rejection and exclusion, feelings can actually be hurt (Cohen).  “At the same time they had brain scans, which showed the pain of being socially rejected was process in the same area of the brain as physical pain- in the anterior cingulate cortex” (Cohen).  This discovery showed that painkillers such as Tylenol can also be used to reduce the pain felt after a break-up (Cohen).

Rejection is all too real when it comes to online dating (Bartz).  One may spend hours sifting through online profiles in order to find “the one” (Bartz).  It seems like the perfect match until the other person has decided not to write back (Bartz).  “Instead, we’d like to tell you, starry-eyed romantics with big dreams of finding love: Toughen up.  Don’t take things so personally.  Stop weeping onto your keyboard in the online quest for love” (Bartz).  It can be hard to control one’s emotions when chemistry is to blame (Bartz).  “Online dating is not for the faint of heart,” but in time the pain of rejection will feel less severe.

Work Cited

Bartz, Andrea, and Brenna Ehrlich. “Don’t Be Offended by Online-dating Rejection.” CNNTech. CNN.com, 14 Apr. 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://articles.cnn.com/2011-04-14/tech/online.dating.netiquette_1_online-dating-online-meat-market-bad-first-dates?_s=PM:TECH&gt;.

“Broken Heart Can Be Fatal, Says Study.” Smh.com.au. The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 Apr. 2007. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.smh.com.au/news/science/broken-heart-can-be-fatal-says-study/2007/04/10/1175971101063.html&gt;.

Cohen, Tamara. “Nursing a Broken Heart? How Taking a Paracetamol Could Dull the Pain of Rejection.” Mail Online. 24 Feb. 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2105813/The-pill-mend-broken-heart-Scientists-claim-simple-painkillers-dull-pain-rejection.html&gt;.

“How Does a Broken Heart Physically Affect the Body?” EHow. Demand Media, 28 Oct. 2008. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4568002_broken-heart-physically-affect-body.html&gt;.

Smith, Deborah. “Why a Bad Marriage Is Worse for Women than Men.” American Psychological Association (APA). Dec. 2001. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://www.apa.org/monitor/dec01/badmarriage.aspx&gt;.

Image Credit: http://www.womansavers.com/Break-up-advice.asp

Can Unstable Relationships cause Stress Induced Health Complications?

Relationship conflicts can be caused by a variety of situations like online infidelity.  Men and women have differing reactions to conflict in relationships which can be linked back to chemistry (Turndorf).  Men are more likely to distance themselves from the conflict while women are more likely to be open about their anger (Turndorf).  “Men’s biology is hard wired to be hyperactive to stress and danger…his body sees danger and involuntarily switches to ANS arousal, which triggers the fight-flight response” (Turndorf).  These responses come in the form of physically leaving the situation, mentally shutting down, or “verbal fleeing,” i.e. making excuses (Turndorf).  Each of the reactions can be connected to Man’s prehistoric days when stress levels increased during hunting.

Women however, do not experience the same biological response.  “A woman thinks her guy is fleeing because he doesn’t care enough about her to resolve the conflict” (Turndorf).  They are able to read their husband’s response and tend to take on their emotional stress (Turndorf).  When wives take on the emotional stress of their husbands during a fight, and it adds to their own stress, unhealthy reactions can occur (Smith).  “In marriages, that continual heightened stress produces physiological responses in women that can lead to poorer health…” (Smith).  This only causes more anger and establishes a cycle within the conflict until both people have cleared their heads (Turndorf).  This “cool down” prevents the fight-flight response and the couple is ready to communicate (Turndorf).

Online dating can also be a stressful situation because one is expected to sort through numerous online profiles and make decisions based on a personal snapshot.  “Studies suggest that people often lack insight into what attracts them to others (and why), and therefore the characteristics they seek out in an online profile may be different from those that will create a connection in person” (Gardner).  Online dating for some people may become frustrating and cause emotional stress like that experienced during fights (Gardner).  It is known that stress takes its toll on the body, so like most things in life, it is important to take online dating with a grain of salt (Gardner).  Obsessing over relationships can actually have negative biological effects on one’s body, so it is essential to take a breather (Turndorf).

Work Cited

Gardner, Amanda. “Psychologists Highlight Pitfalls of Online Dating.” Health.com. CNN.com, 06 Feb. 2012. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/06/health/online-dating-pitfalls/index.html&gt;.

Smith, Deborah. “Why a Bad Marriage Is Worse for Women than Men.” American Psychological Association (APA). Dec. 2001. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://www.apa.org/monitor/dec01/badmarriage.aspx&gt;.

Turndorf, Jamie. “The Chemistry of Conflict: How Disturbed Body Chemistry Causes Relationship Fighting.” We Can Work It Out. Psychology Today, 29 June 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/we-can-work-it-out/201106/the-chemistry-conflict-how-disturbed-body-chemistry-causes-relationsh&gt;.

Image Credit: http://thesmartvan.com/blog/2011/03/25/7558/3-myths-of-field-service-online-marketing-and-what-to-do-about-each/online-frustration/

Pheromones: The Invisible Influencers

The eyes and brain are not the only receptors to beauty and attraction when it comes to love (Newman, 10).  Humans have the ability to release pheromones, “the chemical messengers said to be exuded by the body to influence the behavior and mood of others” (10).  Pheromones build an invisible bridge between people, causing desire based on chemical compatibility (10).  These messages can change depending on ovulation in women and men’s subconscious reception.  “Some studies have shown that during ovulation, women are more attentive to sexual messages from the outside world, dress more provocatively, and stare more at handsome men” (10).  Men then respond to these messages, searching for biological compatibility with a mate, “meaning guys who get all hunger-ish and daring in the presence of females who might be able to carry their seed into the next generation (10). 

Pheromones are also sensed through scent.  “Men who smelled the T-shirts of ovulating women had greater levels of testosterone and were more likely to use sexual language than men who smelled the T-shirts of non ovulating women” (10).  Dating experts have jumped on the notion of pheromones to match chemically compatible partners (Reilly).  Pheromone parties are now offered to take advantage of this naturally occurring chemical process of courtship.  “Attendees trade plastic bags stuffed with their own T-shirts, take a big whiff and pick a mate based on which scent they are most attracted to” (Reilly).  Kissing and intimacy also allow couples to exchange pheromones and smells, thus reaffirming the idea that they are indeed compatible (Newman, 15). 

Online dating and social networking does not allow for the physical exchange and reception to pheromones.  However, pheromones have not been studied enough to known if only virtual interaction would limit a couple’s ability to connect.  “Pheromones remain controversial in the scientific community, with many doubting they play any kind of role” (10).               

Work Cited

Newman, Judith. “The Science of Love.” Parade 12 Feb. 2012: 8+. Print.

Reilly, Andrew. “The Pheromone Party Sets Up Lovers Through Smell.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 02 Feb. 2012. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/the-pheromone-party-links-lovers-through-smell_n_1250660.html&gt;.

Image Credit: http://scipsy.tumblr.com/page/5

Stress, Anxiety or Simply Serotonin?

While Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that makes you desire your new love, serotonin levels actually decrease causing stress and anxiety in the early stages of a relationship (Newman, 9).  When serotonin levels increase, people feel a sense of calm and comfort within their relationship or personal life (“Science of the Heart”).  Romantic gestures increase serotonin levels in the brain which eventually leads to an increase in endorphins (“Science of the Heart”).

Compliments, romantic dates, flowers and sweet gestures all increase serotonin and establish satisfaction within a relationship (“Science of the Heart”).  Small things go a long way when it comes to happiness in a relationship.  Online daters may initially feel more unsure and anxious about their new love interests due to the lack of face-to-face contact and ability to have romantic interactions (“Science of the Heart”).  Compliments through email and online chat may only raise serotonin levels so high (“Science of the Heart”). 

According to statistics, the average length of courtship for marriages that met offline is 42 months while the average length of courtship for marriages that met online is 18.5 months (Jezebel.com).  The percentage of married couples who meet online are also increasing, “in 2010, 17% of married couples met online,” (Jezebel.com).  The rush for online daters to reach the altar could be caused by an increase in serotonin and dopamine levels when couples finally meet.  After months of talking through social networks, the online couple may have a greater desire to spend time together in person (Newman, 9).  Desire and risk taking are caused by the neurotransmitter dopamine, while face-to-face interaction increases serotonin levels establishing the feeling of comfort with each other (Science of the Heart).

Dopamine and serotonin are what initially causes attraction and excitement in a new relationship (Newman, 9).  These chemical “highs” do not last forever and couples have to work to remain happy within a long term relationship (Blum, 3).  Luckily, chemicals like oxytocin are later release to ensure long term bonding and commitment (Newman, 10).

Work Cited

Blum, Deborah. “The Plunge of Pleasure.” Psychology Today. 01 Sept. 1997. Web. 2 Mar. 2012. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200909/the-plunge-pleasure&gt;.

Newman, Judith. “The Science of Love.” Parade 12 Feb. 2012: 8+. Print.

Ryan, Erin G. “Data Suggests That Online Dating Is Utterly Inescapable.” Jezebel. 4 Jan. 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. <http://jezebel.com/5873119/data-suggests-that-online-dating-is-utterly-inescapable&gt;.

“Science of the Heart.” Couples Committed to Love. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.              <http://www.couplescommittedtolove.com/report_5_science.php&gt;.

Image Credit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-three-secrets-to-love-are-serotonin-dopamine-and-oxytocin/238850976136878

It’s All Chemistry: Dopamine

There are an assortment of chemicals that affect attraction and how a person feels during love.  These chemicals all alter emotions and play different parts in the chemical process of love (Newman, 9).  Dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin are all produced by the body naturally and play an enormous role in attraction (9).

Dopamine is first released (9).  It is what makes a person want to spend more time with his or her love interest and gives them the initial “butterflies” (9).  This neurotransmitter is also released when someone drinks or does drugs like caffeine, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine (Tomlinson).  The chemical process of love actually induces addictive like behavior, “which explains the feeling of being addicted to your partner” (Newman, 9).  A dopamine release also increases a person’s heart rate and energy, as well as restlessness (Tomlinson).

Dopamine is also the high a person feels when she or he takes a risk like skydiving or snowboarding down a half-pipe (Park).  The unknown of a new relationship also has the same effect within the brain and this is why he or she often feels so exciting.  The high in a relationship caused by dopamine may diminish over time (2).  This can be caused by parenting and couples often find it difficult to hold on to romance (Blum, 3).  All is not lost however.  Dopamine has been shown to return and add a new spark to a long term relationship (3).  Dopamine also comes back to influence attraction for people who have lost a partner, “Among the couples that Fisher is studying are newly met partners in nursing homes, people in their 70s and 80s, whose infatuation is just as intense as that shared by 20-year-old lovers” (3).

Social media also causes dopamine production within the brain, the same reaction that occurs when you meet a new love interest face-to-face, “When it comes to social networking, our dopamine receptors are spoiled for choice, much like a kid in a candy store,” (Simply Zesty).  Dopamine feeds off uncertainty.  Therefore, meeting someone new through online dating without restrictions feels exciting and addictive (Simply Zesty).  Due to the abundance of technology and social networking, our brains have evolved to biologically produce the same chemicals as those produced in face-to-face contact.

Work Cited

Blum, Deborah. “The Plunge of Pleasure.” Psychology Today. 01 Sept. 1997. Web. 2 Mar. 2012. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200909/the-plunge-pleasure&gt;.

Newman, Judith. “The Science of Love.” Parade 12 Feb. 2012: 8+. Print.

Park, Alice. “Why We Take Risks; It’s the Dopamine.” Time Health. Time, 30 Dec. 2008. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.  <http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1869106,00.html&gt;.

Tomlinson, Nicole. “Chemistry of Love.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 14 Feb. 2008. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/science/chemistry-of-love.html&gt;.

“Why Your Internet Addiction Is Simply Biological.” Simply Zesty. 25 Aug. 2011. Web. 21 Mar. 2012. <http://www.simplyzesty.com/technology/the-science-behind-your-internet-addiction/&gt;.

Image Credit: http://www.madewithmolecules.com/blog/?p=86

Research Project Proposal

Throughout this research project I will be comparing and contrasting the chemical processes that occur within the human body during online dating and face-to-face relationships.  There is a rise in the chemical oxytocin when social media users meet a love interest online as well as during a physical relationship.  However, pheromones are chemicals physically given off by the body and spark attraction within a romantic partner.  Does dating through social media hinder the chemical processes of love or have our brains adapted to this modern way of life?

I will be using online articles, journal articles and books to explore this topic.

I became interested in this topic when I saw an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show where she talked about how the Pill can actually alter chemicals such as Pheromones and attract you to people you are not chemically compatible with.  I had no idea there was a “chemical process of love.”  This discovery made me question if online dating was having the same reverse effects as the Pill, when you are limiting face-to-face relationships.

Image Credit: http://www.shopbabbles.com/?tag=lovemarks