Lust and Attraction Chemicals (Loosely Associated with Stages 1 and 2)
- estrogen and testosterone - plays a role in the sex drive area
- dopamine - “pleasure chemical” producing a feeling of bliss
- norepinephrine - produces the racing heart and excitement, which heightens attention, short-term memory, hyperactivity, sleeplessness and goal-oriented behavior
(dopamine and norepinephrine) together produces elation, intense energy, sleeplessness, craving, loss of appetite and focused attention.
Intense Focus During Attraction Stage
- during the attraction stage, brains were scanned under the fMRI and found a biological drive to focus on one person:
- scans show increased blood flow in areas of the brain with high concentrations of dopamine receptors — associated with euphoria, craving and addiction
- another possible explanation of intense focus and idealization, is having lower levels of serotonin. Lower serotonin levels are the same as those found in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders, possibly explaining their “obsessiveness” towards their partner
Fading Lust and Attraction Chemicals
- studies have shown that passionate love fades quickly and is nearly gone after two to three years
- chemicals associated with “passionate love” (adrenaline, dopamine, norepinephrine, phenylethylamine, etc) dwindle. suddenly your lover has faults. If the relationship can advance, then other chemicals kick in
Bonding/Commitment Chemicals (Loosely Associated with Stage 3)
- oxytocin
- released during hugs and sex, it then begins creating an emotional bond — the more sex, the greater the bond
- this hormone has been shown to be “associated with the ability to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships and healthy psychological boundaries with other people”
- vasopressin
- antidiuretic hormone
- associated with the formation of long-term monogamous relationships
- endorphins
- body’s natural painkillers
- play a key role in long-term relationships
- produce a general sense of:
- well-being
- feeling soothed
- peaceful
- secure
- released during
- sex
- physical contact
- exercise
Dr. Helen Fisher believes that oxytocin and vasopressin interfere with the dopamine and norepinephrine pathways, which might explain why passionate love fades as attachment love grows