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Scientists conducted the first study of its kind, revealing the brain mechanism responsible for idealizing loved ones during the initial stages of a romantic relationship.
It is widely recognized that the brain undergoes changes when experiencing romantic love, triggering the production of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” which is responsible for the intense feelings of joy associated with falling in love.
The evolution of these changes in the brain over time has been difficult to understand.
Scientists from the Australian National University state that there is still a lot to learn about the development of romantic love. Therefore, any discovery related to the evolution of romantic love is a crucial part of the ongoing puzzle.
It is believed that romantic love originated approximately five million years ago, following the divergence of humans from our primate ancestors.
The ancient Greeks deeply pondered the concept of romantic love, acknowledging its power to inspire and also cause pain. The earliest known love poem dates back to around 2000 BC.
Researchers have created a cerebral implant that decreases the tendency for risk-taking behavior in primates.
Researchers have now identified a connection between the brain’s behavioural activation system (BAS) and romantic love.
A recent research, published in the journal of Behavioural Sciences, involved a survey of 1556 young adults who self-identified as being “in love”.
The purpose of the survey was to reveal individuals’ emotional response towards their significant other, their actions when in their presence, and the priority they gave to their partner above everything else.
According to researchers, when someone experiences love, their brain responds differently and the object of their affection becomes the focal point of their life.
Research has demonstrated that individuals who are in love often display a tendency to focus their attention and remember details about their significant other.
Researchers have also been aware that feelings of romantic love are predominantly linked to the functioning of brain regions involved in emotions, satisfaction, and drive.
The behavioral activation system (BAS) in the brain is involved in various motivational results.
The latest study examined MRI scans and identified changes in brain structure, behavior, and emotions that are associated with romantic love.
Prior research has established the significance of oxytocin in romantic love, however, the specific neural mechanism by which the perception of a loved one becomes uniquely significant has remained unclear.
According to the latest research, this is caused by the interaction of oxytocin and dopamine in the brain, which is released during feelings of romantic love.
According to study co-author Phil Kavanagh, love essentially triggers pathways in the brain that are linked to experiencing positive emotions.
According to scientists, the results suggest that the development of romantic love may have utilized already existing neural mechanisms.
In future investigations, scientists aim to uncover distinctions in how men and women approach love, and carry out a global survey to recognize various categories of romantic partners.
Source: independent.co.uk
