YOUR BRAIN ON LOVE
That glow is happening inside, too
By: Meredith Heuer
Everyone Knows You're In Love: Your Eyes Are Twinkling and Your Cheeks
Are Aglow.
But what they can't see is that your brain is buzzing with romance, too.
Sex and love have both been heralded for making us not just happier, but
actually healthier. Now, researchers say the effects of romance go
further: Love lights up certain areas of the human brain.
TURN ON YOUR BRAIN LIGHT
To find out what happens to our brains when we're in love, a group of
scientists did MRI brain scans of 17 starry-eyed subjects (who had to
undergo psychological test to prove they were really in love). While the
amorous guinea pigs were gazing at photos of their beloveds, they were
asked, "What are you feeling?"
Scientists noted the areas that "lit up," or became active, were near
areas which are sparked to life by feelings of lust.
While a number of brain regions showed increased activity, only four
specific areas were found to "light up" in all of the 11 female and six
male subjects, according to Andreas Bartels, a doctoral student who
Tuesday presented the new research to the Society for Neuroscience at
London's University College.
So is this scientific finding a method for scientists to determine the
difference between love or lust? "It is the common denominator of
romantic love," Bartels said.
But an attempt to pick love and lust apart physiologically could prove
sticky, experts say.
"I think there are some really big complexities to love, lust, sex and
intimacy," said Dr. Seth Prosterman, clinical sexologist and licensed
marriage and family therapist in San Francisco. "For a lot of people,
especially in courting times, you're getting a reflected sense of
yourself that is often considered love or lust."
"Your pulse is quickening because of the thoughts you are having,
especially if you're thinking loving, warm thoughts and/or sexual
thoughts for that individual," Prosterman said.
The researchers also made a surprise discovery: Looking at our lovers can
be soothing.
The images may be clear, but Dr. Marcus Raichle of Washington University
says it's impossible to tell exactly what emotions are at work. "The
question is, what is the state he is eliciting?"
And while there are plenty of rating scales for anger and fear, Raichle
added, love has not been as thoroughly studied.
"Vast numbers of studies have been done on negative emotions - fear,
sadness, anger, disgust. we decided to tease out a positive emotion,"
Bartels said.
