Your heart doesn't just feel better it
IS better. (Plus other cool things
love's doing to you.)
When we fall in love, we often think of
the wonders it does to our heart and soul.
But there's another organ that's deeply
affected by your loving relationships:
your brain.
And it goes far beyond feeling emotions
from sappy love songs, puppy dog eyes
and emoji heart-filled texts. When you're
head over heels for someone, some parts
of your brain are activated, and others are
switched off. That's right, love, both
romantic and parental, is actually altering
the way you think.
Smitten with someone? Here's how your
brain is handling your romance ...
1. You Feel Addicted
Ever hear that love is a drug? Well, there
may be some truth to that. Your brain
houses these intensely passionate feelings
using the same system that's activated
when a person is addicted to drugs, from
the euphoria you feel to your cravings for
more. Sure, it might be a much healthier
addiction — but let's face facts, shall we?
You're an addict.
2. You Start Thinking In Twos
It's not just "me, me, me" anymore. Now,
there's two of you to think about — and
your brain will automatically pick up the
changes. From birth, we're linked to our
mothers and much to scientists' surprise,
the connection transforms and changes
with each relationship we have. The bond
you share with your partner or children
runs way deeper than just on the outside.
A recent study linked using first-person
singular pronouns (me, myself and I) to
higher rates of depression than those who
say "we" and "us." More proof that
healthy relationships are invaluable.
3. You Love Longer (And Become
Wiser)
Falling in love is as good for your heart as
it is for your mental heath. People in love
report higher levels of dopamine, which is
linked to pleasure, desire and euphoria.
Studies report that people in positive,
healthy relationships live longer, are
happier, wiser and have better mental
health.
4. You're More Supportive
One of the biggest benefits of falling —
and staying — in love is that you'll learn
what it's really like to lean on (and
support) another person. Building trust in
a relationship is crucial. And, your brain
helps you out with that. Through MRI
scans, researchers have found that when
we fall in love, the frontal cortex — the
area of the brain that's responsible for
judgment — shuts down. So when we're in
love, we're less likely to be critical or
skeptical of the person we care about.
5. You De-Stress
Some of us might mistake those
butterflies surrounding your first kiss —
but there's no way your brain will ever
forget how it first felt to be touched by
someone you're in love with. Here's the
completely crazy part: in healthy
relationships, holding on to your
partner's hand is enough to keep you
from stressing, lower your blood
pressure, ease your physical pain and
improve your health. A healthy,
encouraging relationship actually alters
your brain function.
6. You Glow (Well, Your Brain's
Reward Centers Do!)
Wondering what the key to longevity is in
a relationship? Scientists found it. In a
study that assessed couples who defined
themselves as "madly in love," scientists
found that the reward centers of their
brains lit up after just looking at a picture
of their spouse. In the calm and stress
sites of the brain, researchers found a
reduction in light up activity. Let the
bright lines shine, baby!
7. You Feel Safe
Similar to the first bonds babies make
with their mothers, the feeling of security
will emerge in your relationship. As you
age and change, your body actually
remembers the brain cycles and stages
that you went through in your youth — so
when you feel reconnected to your baby
self, those feelings of safety and
contentment will come flooding back.
Research also shows that when we feel
love for someone, it shuts down the part
of our brain that controls fear and
negative emotions.
IS better. (Plus other cool things
love's doing to you.)
When we fall in love, we often think of
the wonders it does to our heart and soul.
But there's another organ that's deeply
affected by your loving relationships:
your brain.
And it goes far beyond feeling emotions
from sappy love songs, puppy dog eyes
and emoji heart-filled texts. When you're
head over heels for someone, some parts
of your brain are activated, and others are
switched off. That's right, love, both
romantic and parental, is actually altering
the way you think.
Smitten with someone? Here's how your
brain is handling your romance ...
1. You Feel Addicted
Ever hear that love is a drug? Well, there
may be some truth to that. Your brain
houses these intensely passionate feelings
using the same system that's activated
when a person is addicted to drugs, from
the euphoria you feel to your cravings for
more. Sure, it might be a much healthier
addiction — but let's face facts, shall we?
You're an addict.
2. You Start Thinking In Twos
It's not just "me, me, me" anymore. Now,
there's two of you to think about — and
your brain will automatically pick up the
changes. From birth, we're linked to our
mothers and much to scientists' surprise,
the connection transforms and changes
with each relationship we have. The bond
you share with your partner or children
runs way deeper than just on the outside.
A recent study linked using first-person
singular pronouns (me, myself and I) to
higher rates of depression than those who
say "we" and "us." More proof that
healthy relationships are invaluable.
3. You Love Longer (And Become
Wiser)
Falling in love is as good for your heart as
it is for your mental heath. People in love
report higher levels of dopamine, which is
linked to pleasure, desire and euphoria.
Studies report that people in positive,
healthy relationships live longer, are
happier, wiser and have better mental
health.
4. You're More Supportive
One of the biggest benefits of falling —
and staying — in love is that you'll learn
what it's really like to lean on (and
support) another person. Building trust in
a relationship is crucial. And, your brain
helps you out with that. Through MRI
scans, researchers have found that when
we fall in love, the frontal cortex — the
area of the brain that's responsible for
judgment — shuts down. So when we're in
love, we're less likely to be critical or
skeptical of the person we care about.
5. You De-Stress
Some of us might mistake those
butterflies surrounding your first kiss —
but there's no way your brain will ever
forget how it first felt to be touched by
someone you're in love with. Here's the
completely crazy part: in healthy
relationships, holding on to your
partner's hand is enough to keep you
from stressing, lower your blood
pressure, ease your physical pain and
improve your health. A healthy,
encouraging relationship actually alters
your brain function.
6. You Glow (Well, Your Brain's
Reward Centers Do!)
Wondering what the key to longevity is in
a relationship? Scientists found it. In a
study that assessed couples who defined
themselves as "madly in love," scientists
found that the reward centers of their
brains lit up after just looking at a picture
of their spouse. In the calm and stress
sites of the brain, researchers found a
reduction in light up activity. Let the
bright lines shine, baby!
7. You Feel Safe
Similar to the first bonds babies make
with their mothers, the feeling of security
will emerge in your relationship. As you
age and change, your body actually
remembers the brain cycles and stages
that you went through in your youth — so
when you feel reconnected to your baby
self, those feelings of safety and
contentment will come flooding back.
Research also shows that when we feel
love for someone, it shuts down the part
of our brain that controls fear and
negative emotions.
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