valentine special: science in love

Filed in archive Miscellany on February 14, 2006

It's not because I do not have a real valentine, I'm not a cynic either but I think it wouldn't hurt to know that scientists are now busy discovering not only what parts of the brain are responsible for feelings of sexual chemistry, romantic love, and long-term attraction, but also what chemicals cause the feelings of romantic excitement and contentment

Now, if only Cupid's arrow is spiked with phenylethylamine (PEA) or the love chemical, then I guess most of us will start looking at scientists' speculation that "true love" is some combination of factors ranging from complementary genes to intoxication from pheromones.

Research shows that people seek out mates with genes that are enough like theirs to be compatible, but different enough to be a good complement and to provide their child with a strong immune system. And pheromones may help you to "sniff" out the right person. These chemical scents released by the body act as a billboard, broadcasting essential information about what you have to offer others.

When you find a person that makes your heart race and your cheeks flush, you're said to be in the infatuation or attraction phase of love. This is when you can stay up all night talking on the phone, or spend days holed up in a hotel room making love.

Read more. But when you are staring at your date's eyes tonight, don't be thinking about which oxytocins or endorphins are at play.

However, some people took the science of love seriously that it has become the criteria for one online dating website.