When you think of love, you probably picture it as a warm, fuzzy feeling. After all, it’s an emotion that makes your heart flutter and your palms sweat. But it’s actually a lot more complicated than most people realize, and it’s different for every person.
One thing we know is that love is a complex emotion, and it comes in many different forms. In fact, researchers have identified three main types of love. One is erotic love, which is focused on physical attraction and sexual pleasure. Another is pragma love, which is based on making sensible relationship choices. Finally, there is agape love, which is self-sacrificing.
Research suggests that most people fall in love through a combination of these types. During the erotic phase, the brain’s reward centers are activated and we feel intense feelings of attraction. We also experience empathy, which helps us to understand and empathize with our partner.
This type of love is often fueled by hormones that increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Serotonin and dopamine are natural chemicals that are produced by the body to create rewarding experiences.
But this type of love can be toxic if it’s based on emotional whims or cravings. That’s why it’s important to have clear boundaries when defining what love means to you.