Is Love Really A Drug? | What Does Love & Heartbreak Do To My Body | National Geographic

Summary

In this video, Alzo Slade explores the science behind love and heartbreak, revealing how the chemicals in our bodies drive emotional and physical responses. He explains how love triggers a release of hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, which create feelings of euphoria, attachment, and security. However, when love is lost, these beneficial chemicals drop, leading to emotional turmoil and physical symptoms, including stress and heart-related issues. Alzo also discusses how recovery from heartbreak involves regaining balance, through support from loved ones, self-care practices, and even medication. Ultimately, love's highs come with inevitable lows, but both offer profound effects on our well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 Love and heartbreak affect our bodies like a rollercoaster, with emotional and physical impacts linked to hormones and neurochemicals.
• 😀 Love triggers the release of chemicals like noradrenaline, vasopressin, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, making us feel excited, attached, and happy.
• 😀 Dopamine, the 'feel-good' hormone, can make love feel as intense as cocaine, creating a euphoric high when we're with someone we love.
• 😀 Oxytocin, the bonding hormone, promotes attachment and trust, and its release is linked to activities like physical touch and deep conversations.
• 😀 Once love settles, the balance of hormones like vasopressin and serotonin fosters a sense of security, devotion, and emotional stability.
• 😀 Love has health benefits, including better sleep, improved immunity, reduced anxiety, and even longer life expectancy.
• 😀 Heartbreak, when we lose love, causes a sudden chemical drop, leading to physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms, similar to drug addiction.
• 😀 The absence of oxytocin during heartbreak makes the heart vulnerable, which can lead to stress responses such as spikes in blood pressure and increased risk of heart attack.
• 😀 Low serotonin and dopamine during heartbreak contribute to depression, anxiety, and low energy, prompting people to seek quick fixes for happiness.
• 😀 Stress hormones like cortisol rise during heartbreak, exacerbating symptoms like low energy and difficulty getting out of bed, particularly in the morning.
• 😀 Recovery from heartbreak requires time and self-care, such as relying on social support, engaging in physical activity, and practicing good sleep hygiene, to reset the body's chemistry.

Q & A

Why does love feel like a roller coaster?

Love triggers a cascade of hormones and neurochemicals in our body, such as adrenaline, oxytocin, and dopamine, which lead to intense physical and emotional reactions. These chemicals cause the highs and lows often associated with love, making the experience feel like a roller coaster.

What are the seven major hormones associated with love?

The seven major hormones involved in love are: noradrenaline, vasopressin, testosterone, estrogen, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Each hormone contributes to different aspects of affection, attraction, and attachment.

What role does dopamine play in love?

Dopamine is released after physical intimacy, creating a sense of reward and pleasure, similar to the euphoric effects of cocaine. This 'love high' helps foster emotional bonding and reinforces positive feelings toward a partner.

How does oxytocin affect relationships?

Oxytocin, often referred to as the bonding hormone, deepens attraction and builds trust. It’s released during meaningful interactions like deep conversations or touch, and has been shown to improve sleep, immunity, and reduce anxiety and depression in long-term relationships.

Why do people ignore red flags in relationships?

When we're in love, the flood of positive neurochemicals in our brain, including oxytocin and dopamine, can actually deactivate the neural pathways responsible for negative emotions. This can cause us to overlook potential problems or red flags in a relationship.

How does heartbreak affect the body?

Heartbreak causes a sudden cessation of the positive hormones associated with love, like oxytocin and serotonin, leading to symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The body may experience physical stress responses like high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and increased risk of heart issues.

Can heartbreak be fatal?

Yes, heartbreak can have severe physical effects. For instance, studies show that men are 40% more likely to experience a heart attack after the death of their spouse. This is linked to the stress response triggered by the sudden loss of love and the depletion of love-related neurochemicals.

How do quick hits, like casual encounters, impact heartbreak?

After experiencing heartbreak, the body craves the dopamine rush that came with love. People may seek out quick hits, like casual make-out sessions, to try to replicate that feeling. However, these actions can lead to temporary relief rather than long-term healing.

What are some effective ways to cope with heartbreak?

To cope with heartbreak, it’s important to rebuild your support system. Interacting with family and friends can help regenerate oxytocin and other positive hormones. Engaging in simple self-care activities like walks, proper sleep, and even petting an animal can help in reducing stress and boosting mood.

Can physical pain relievers help with emotional pain?

Yes, research has shown that medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can reduce social pain, which is linked to emotional distress from heartbreak. Since social pain activates the same neural pathways as physical pain, treating it similarly can provide some relief.