Love Struck: Inside Your Brain & Body When Cupid's Arrows Hit

Ah, love – that magical feeling that makes your heart race, your palms sweaty, and your mind spin like a caffeine-fuelled dervish. Have you ever wondered what happens in your brain and body when you fall head over heels? Buckle up, because we're taking a thrilling ride through the science of love this Valentine's Day!

1. The Brain's Love Cocktail

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When love strikes, it's like a chemical party in your brain. Dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, floods your system. It's the same feel-good chemical that's released when you eat chocolate or win a game. No wonder falling in love feels like the sweetest victory!

2. The Cupid Connection

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Cupid might be aiming those arrows, but oxytocin is the real MVP. Known as the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone," oxytocin is released when you hug, kiss, or simply cuddle with your special someone. It fosters feelings of trust, bonding, and affection — the perfect recipe for a love potion.

This love hormone isn't just for romantic relationships though, oxytocin also helps us forge loving bonds with our pets, friends and kids. 

3. The Heart's Wild Symphony

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Your heart, ever the romantic maestro, beats a little faster when love is in the air. Falling in love triggers an increase in adrenaline, the same hormone responsible for the fight-or-flight response. So, in a way, love makes your heart race, but in the most exhilarating and enjoyable way possible.

4. Brain Fog and Butterflies

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 Ever experienced that giddy feeling in your stomach? Blame it on the vagus nerve. This nerve connects your brain to your gut, and when you're in love, it's working overtime. The fluttery sensation you feel is a result of increased blood flow and heightened nerve activity. 

5. The Serotonin Symphony

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As if dopamine and oxytocin weren't enough, serotonin joins the love parade. This neurotransmitter, responsible for mood regulation, experiences a delightful boost when you're in love. That's why everything seems more bright and beautiful when love takes centre stage.

6. The Love Drug

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You might not be able to buy love on the black market, but it sure can act like a drug. Studies have shown that the brain activity of someone in love resembles that of someone on cocaine. With this in mind, is it any wonder that your sensible best friend looks at you with thinly veiled concern as you wax poetic about Bob from accounts after his unexpected glow up?

7. Lovers (Memory) Lane

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When you're smitten, your brain becomes an expert at etching lasting memories into your grey matter. The hippocampus, a region associated with memory, goes into overdrive, making sure those special moments are etched in your mind forever. Who needs a photo album when your brain is a rose-tinted memory palace?

8. Healing Touch

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Believe it or not, love has potential health benefits. Studies suggest that being in a loving relationship can lower stress levels, boost the immune system, and even promote longevity. It seems Cupid's arrows might be a prescription for a healthier, happier life... Unless of course your relationship is unhappy and you happen to be a woman, in which case it will shave years off your life. Run! 

So, there you have it — the wild ride that love takes you on, from the chemistry of the brain to the symphony of hormones in your body. This Valentine's Day, embrace the magic, savour the butterflies, and let the love chemicals dance through your system. After all, falling in love is not just a feeling; it's a full-body experience!

Cover Image Credit: Ken Douglas