Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter that is widely used in different areas of the brain. Dopamine is associated with feelings of pleasure, motivation and reward, as well as regulating movement.
The release of dopamine controls what has become known as the "reward system" in the brain. This series of processes is linked to multiple areas of the brain that process emotions, direct attention, and seek rewards. All types of stimuli stimulate the release of dopamine in reward pathways in various amounts, including food, sex, video games, social interactions, and shopping.
What dopamine has to do with love?
Love may be associated with the heart, but it flourishes in the brain. When we experience love, especially in the beginning, the brain releases large amounts of dopamine. Love has an addictive quality to it, as anyone who has experienced it before can experience. Dopamine's feeling of euphoria causes a high that has been compared to that of cocaine. In a study, Functional MRI scans were performed on people who saw images of their romantic partners.
Dopamine is also responsible for the bodily changes associated with attraction: when you're with someone for whom you have strong romantic feelings, you may not notice that your pulse quickens, your breathing quickens, or your cheek heats up.These are all biological processes that are caused in part by increased dopamine levels; cortisol and noirepine may also be increased, causing us to experience feelings of safety and thinking often about the person for whom we have romantic feelings.
Dopamine and partner search
The continuation of our species depends on your ability to produce, and even if we don't want children or aren't ready to have them, our biology still drives us to find a partner.
Interestingly, the brain's reward cycle can be triggered more strongly when we perceive the person we care about as "hard to get".
With the advent of the Internet and dating apps, which have presented us with more options for potential partners than ever before, our reward system has the potential to be hijacked by each new opportunity. A study has shown that activity is increased in the central core of thebrain, apart from the reward system, when participants see images of attractive people.
Knowing the underlying neurobiological process that works when you are attracted to a person can help you determine if you really want to pursue a relationship with them.
Dopamine in early relationships
Source : unsplash.com
Dopamine is always highest when you are first trying to establish a relationship with someone you are very interested in. High levels of dopamine make new love extremely rewarding, exciting and worth pursuing over other things.There is nothing that feels like our first serious love, especially if that love is reciprocated.
There's nothing wrong with these feelings; in fact, they're an important part of building the foundation of a long-term relationship. If you and your partner are a good match, this initial dopamine boost can plant the seed for a powerful connection that lasts over time.
Some people may realize, after dopamine depletion, that they are no longer interested in their partner for a long time; others may feel upset because they do not feel the momentum they had and end the relationship prematurely, but it is normal for the fire of passion to die down as the relationship matures, replaced by neurochemicals that strengthen attachment and connection.
Neurochemicals in mature relationships
After about six months to a year of being together, dopamine and cortex are released, and other neurochemicals related to long-term attachment are released, the most important of which is oxytocin.Oxytocin is the same chemical involved in the connection between mothers and children, as it facilitates bonding and security. Known as the "bonding hormone" or "cuddle chemical," oxytocin is released through many activities, including holding hands and hugging.
Oxytocin encourages us to develop trust in the person we are with. This social trust has been a crucial part of survival since the beginning of human civilization and is hardwired into the brain.
And when the relationship ends?
The end of a relationship is a particularly painful experience, especially if the relationship has been developed over a long period of time and both parties still care for each other, because of the close bonds that form in the brain. When a relationship ends, especially if the other party ends, the brain temporarily increases dopamine and kerotonin levels.
Neural pathways released during separation are difficult to break, and the brain can literally go into withdrawal for a short period of time, and this tendency is what drives some people to try to connect with the esophagus to relieve pain.However, over time, these connections fail and the brain is able to restore normal functioning. Therapy can help speed up this process for individuals who may struggle more to recover after a relationship ends.
The reason love is blind
Source : unsplash.com
Interestingly, along with all the positive feelings that dopamine provides, there are also other neurobiological changes that lower our perception of the negative attributes of the object of your affection.
This is why people tend to look at their new love interest through a perfect lens for the year. You've probably had the experience of looking back at the ex-drinker months or years later and wondering what was wrong with them. You can analyze the neurobiology of attraction. This is the closest thing to the love spell we know, cast by your brain chemistry.
Sustaining the relationship over time
Once the initial surge of brain chemicals wears off, sustaining a relationship with someone you love requires more work and effort. While the initial neurochemical flow binds you completely, it's up to you and your partner to decide if your relationship is worth building in the future.
A successful relationship requires communication, support, and compromise, and it requires both parties to work together to achieve this goal. Falling in love doesn't take much effort, but staying in love and letting your relationship thrive depends on both people making the choice to commit to each other, which allows for an attachment that grows over time, strengthening the bond.
Therapy for couples
Every relationship has problems from time to time, especially as it matures from the honeymoon stage to mature love. Some people are reluctant to seek a therapist's head for their relationship because they are worried that something is wrong.
However, the opposite is true: it is always better to address the problem rather than ignore it and let it develop. Choosing to pursue therapy, whether individually or as a couple, demonstrates your commitment to making your relationship work despite any obstacles you may face.