Love’s a thriller, however once you’re in love, much more is happening than simply the circulation of souls. There’s additionally a circulation of chemical compounds surging round your nervous system and mind. Watch this video with Georgetown College professor Abigail Marsh to search out out extra.
In issues of affection, what do people and prairie voles have in frequent? Prairie voles — together with people, consider it or not — are the mammalian kingdom’s main monogamists. Like people, these little rodents have plenty of receptors of their brains for the feel-good chemical oxytocin. Once you’re round your sweetie, your mind is lit up with nature’s personal love potions. However once you’re separated, stress comes alongside and messes up your hormones, precisely the identical as for addicts who can’t get a repair.
Prairie voles mate for all times. Their cousins the montane voles solely get collectively for so long as it takes to make a brand new era. However Papa Prairie Vole sticks round and helps elevate the infants. And that’s the purpose. The extra love, the nearer the pair bond, and the higher the result for prairie vole offspring.
So, sure, love is addicting. However for a very good trigger.
Backside line: Watch this video to know extra concerning the chemistry of affection.
