Love is an emotional state that encompasses deep affection and attachment, as well as a complex blend of emotions. It can be hard to define because it is a mixture of physical sensations, thoughts, and behaviors, but the feeling of love has many positive outcomes for health and happiness.
The emotion of love is complex and can change over time. It can be a source of great joy and life satisfaction, as well as a source of frustration and distress. In relationships, if left unchecked, it can also lead to feelings of envy, jealousy, insecurity, and possessiveness. However, there are many ways to prevent these negative effects, including avoiding situations that trigger these feelings, distraction, expression suppression, and cognitive reappraisal.
When we first fall in love, our brains are flooded with “happy chemicals” like dopamine and oxytocin that create feelings of excitement, obsession, and euphoria. These feelings are triggered by the ventral tegmental area of the brain, which links our emotions to rewarding sensations in the environment. As the relationship continues, the oxytocin and dopamine levels decrease while serotonin increases. Serotonin plays a role in mood and is associated with intrusive, obsessive thoughts.
Psychologists, sociologists, and researchers have long debated the nature of love. Some say it’s a physiological drive that can be distinguished from other emotions, while others argue it’s a complex mix of primary and secondary emotions. Still, despite its complexity, everyone wants closeness and connection in a partner.