Truly, Madly, Deeply

The scientific but magical side of love

13 February 2015

Falling in love takes about a fifth of a second, according to a meta-analysis called ‘The Neuroimaging of Love’ conducted by Prof Stephanie Ortigue at Syracuse University. Her research team also found that love highly affects the intellectual areas of your brain.

Results showed that when a person falls head over heels, 12 areas of the brain work to release euphoria-inducing chemicals, like oxytocin and adrenaline. The swoon effect also impacts on cognitive functions, like metaphors and body image.

‘These findings confirm love has a scientific basis. But they beg the question: Does the heart fall in love, or the brain?’ said Prof Ortigue. ‘I’d say the brain, but the heart is related as the complex concept of love is formed by bottom-up and top-down process from the brain to heart and vice versa.’

Words: Dailyfix
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