If there is one thing that most people can agree on, it’s that love is a complex feeling. It’s a combination of romantic attraction, closeness and intimacy, and even a bit of lust.
Many philosophers and scientists have taken on the question of what love really is. Some think it’s a primary emotion that is out of our control, while others disagree, saying that it comes from a mix of different emotions.
When we fall in love, key brain regions light up, flooding the ventral tegmental area with dopamine and triggering a surge of feelings. The rush is exciting, euphoric and even a little irrational.
Over time, however, that giddy feeling is often replaced with a deeper commitment and a sense of responsibility. As relationships mature, there’s a decrease in dopamine and an increase in the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and oxytocin. Those hormones are responsible for feelings of satisfaction and security, which can help us make long-term decisions.
In addition to the physical and emotional aspects of love, it also involves a sense of belonging. It means trusting someone enough to let them get close to you, but not so close that they can harm you or take advantage of you.
Some scholars and philosophers believe that there are nine different types of love, including romantic, familial, platonic, philanthropic, karma, and bhakti. Bhakti is devotional love and is characterized by a dedication to the divine, such as in Hinduism. It’s a form of love that’s incredibly powerful and can heal our wounds, but it can also be difficult to live with because it demands sacrifice and service.