Unravel the mysteries of the heart as we delve into 20 fascinating facts about love. Prepare to be intrigued by the science, history, and cultural aspects of this universal emotion that has captivated humanity since time immemorial.
Heartbreak Is Not Just a Metaphor
Research has provided evidence that intense, traumatizing events, such as a break-up, divorce, loss of a loved one, or physical separation from a loved ones, or betrayal can cause real physical pains in the area of one’s heart.
- This condition is called the Broken Heart Syndrome.
People At The Same Level Of Attractiveness Are More Likely To End Up Together
People are more attracted to those that they share a level of attractiveness with, or are equally socially desirable.
- Even if successful couples differ in physical attractiveness, one of them usually compensates for it with other socially desirable qualities.
Couples Who Are Too Similar To Each Other Are Not Likely to Last
Opposites attract, and research proves this to be partially true.
Butterflies In the Stomach Are Real
They’re Actually Caused by Adrenaline
An Attractive Face Is Preferred Over an Attractive Body For Long-Term Relationships
When it comes to dating, the body wins over the face on a physical attraction basis.
Monogamous Relationships Exist Throughout the Animal Kingdom
Wolves, swans, gibbons, black vultures, albatrosses, and even termites are just a few of those animals that find a mate for a lifetime.
- Even though we often think of ourselves as a faithful species, we’re not the only one in the animal kingdom.
It only takes up to 4 minutes to decide whether you like someone or not
It is believed that it has far more to do with your body language, tone of voice, and speed of your voice rather than the content of your words.
- You have about four minutes to make a good impression
Cuddling Releases Natural Painkillers
Oxytocin, the love hormone, is produced during an embrace or cuddle.
True love is overwhelming
Over the course of our lives, we learn about biological processes that cause specific reactions, cultural influences on how we behave and think about love, and psychological facts about love and physiological processes that get us falling in love.
- In the end, the feeling itself is what matters most.
Dilated Pupils Show Your Attraction To Someone And Makes You More Attractive
As early as the 1870s, Darwin proposed that pupils expand during heightened attention and focus. This is indeed true, as this occurs when gazing at an object of desire or beloved one, even if it’s only a picture or a video.
Love Is Really All That Matters
A 75-year long study conducted by a group of Harvard researchers has shown that love is really all that matters
Romantic Love Eventually Ends…Only To Be Followed By Committed Love
Romantic love, which is linked with euphoria, dependence, sweaty palms, butterflies and other emotional responses, only lasts about a year.
- After that first year begins the so-called “committed love” stage.
People Who Are In Love Have Chemical Similarities With People With OCD
Studies show that people at an early stage of love have lower levels of serotonin, which is associated with feelings of happiness and well-being, and higher levels of cortisol, associated with stress
- This is strikingly similar to those people who have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which explains why we act so out of character when we fall for someone.
Even Looking At A Picture Of A Loved One Relieves The Pain
The presence of a significant other has been proven to improve patients’ pain, and it has been proved that the same goes for even a picture of the beloved.
Falling in love has neurological effects similar to those of cocaine
Both experiences affect the brain similarly and trigger a similar sensation of euphoria.
- Research found that falling in love produces several euphoria-inducing chemicals that stimulate 12 areas of the brain at the same time.
Thinking Of Love And Sex Influences Creativity And Concrete Thinking, Respectively
Reminders of love influence more abstract and creative thinking because they are associated with more distant and abstract considerations – long-term relationships, devotion, commitment and intimacy.
Attachment + Caring + Intimacy = Perfect Love
There are three kinds of love that are a product of two different pairs of basic components: romantic love, companionate love, and fatuous love.
- Of course, the truest and strongest of all is consummate love.
Looking into each other’s eyes can make strangers fall in love
It has been proven that when someone is gazing at you, their body produces a chemical called phenylethylamine, which is associated with the fight-or-flight response.
