What Happens to Your Brain When You’re in Love

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

When you’re in love, your brain releases dopamine, oxytocin and vasopressin; hormones associated with happiness, trust, and connectedness.

Your brain also releases adrenaline, which increases your heart rate. That’s why you may feel nervous around your crush or partner during early stages of your relationship.

This release of adrenaline also increases the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which leave you feeling excited.

Much like dopamine, norepinephrine is also associated with our brain’s reward system. It intensifies our infatuation to the point of feeling borderline obsessed. This encourages you to pursue your romantic interest.

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V: WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, THE FIRST TIME WE HUNG OUT, AS I WAS PHOTOGRAPHING THE PLANES?
X: I WAS THINKING ABOUT HOW CUTE YOU ARE… AND THE PILOT WHO WAVED AT US.
V: I GOT SO HYPE WHEN YOU STARTED FREESTYLING FOR ME.

X: HA, I KNOW. 
V: IT’S ALMOST A LIL’ EMBARRASSING, I JUST COULDN’T CONTAIN MY ENTHUSIASM.
X: YOU’RE JUST VERY EXPRESSIONAL. IT’S SWEET. 

Source: My Brain 20 | Penelope Peru Photography P³

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The first time XtaSeay and I hung out, at the airport.

Sources: Larger Plane, Exxcal1bur, Flowers 17 | Penelope Peru Photography P³

Love also causes our amygdala to shutdown. This is the part of the brain responsible for judgement such as recognizing dangerous situations or detecting when someone is lying to us. This is why you tend to ignore your partner’s flaws and view them through rose-tinted glasses.

At this point, the dopamine already has you addicted to how wonderful their affection makes you feel. The oxytocin and vasopressin reinforce your connection, while the lack of activity in your amygdala leaves you oblivious to your partner’s shortcomings.