The Science of Love
The science of love
by
Siri Agrell
You tell yourself
My heart is broken.
Science tells you
Brain imaging studies have shown that romantic rejection hurts like physical pain. Helen Fisher of Rutgers University proved that the same circuits of grey matter are triggered whether you have broken up or broken a leg.
Your buddies tell you
You need a rebound.
Science tells you
It might just help. According to Louanne Brizendine, author of The Female Brain, the only surefire way out of the “brain pain” of relationship loss is to trigger a dopamine and oxytocin high – through sex.
Cat Stevens tells you
The first cut is the deepest.
Science tells you
First love really does leave an impression. A University of California, Berkeley, student found the first romantic relationship has a greater impact on an adult’s love life than any other influence, including parenting.
Your mom tells you
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Science tells you
Human beings suffer from romantic withdrawal just like they do from drug withdrawal. Lucy Brown of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York showed people pictures of their romantic partners and noticed immediate stimulation of brain areas responsible for reward and motivation.
Hollywood tells you
Opposites attract.
Science tells you
If you want to make sure he’s the one, get a DNA test. Researchers at the University of New Mexico analyzed the major histocompatibility complex of 48 heterosexual couples who had been together for at least two years. The more similar a woman’s MHC was to her partner’s, the more likely she was to be attracted to other men.
Cosmo tells you
Girls dig the bad boy.
Science tells you
There is a reason women are drawn to emotionally unavailable men. Dr. Brizendine says females are wired to interpret an emotionless face as a signal they’re doing something wrong, and to work harder to get a response.
It seems not being in a relationship is better for your health.
Indeed.
Relationships suck.