Being in love evokes several emotions. Emotions that are associated with being in love include happiness, anxiety, attachment, desire and excitement. These emotions are linked to several chemicals and hormones produced by the body, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline.
When someone is in love, they may feel euphoric or addicted. This is a result of an increase in dopamine levels. Dopamine is a chemical that controls the brain’s pleasure and rewards centers. Hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine are also shown to increase. These hormones can make your palms sweat and cause restlessness or your heart to race.
A study using MRI indicated that when people are in love, blood flow increases to the brain’s pleasure center. An increase in cerebral blood flow can cause the experience of “feeling chills down the spine.”
People become attached when in love; this attachment can trigger the development of hormones such as vasopressin and oxytocin. These hormones create feelings of security and comfort.
Science has shown that the emotions of love are universally shared and can be broken down into three stages of lust, attachment and attraction. The combination of chemicals can also explain why being in love can often feel like an emotional roller coaster.
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