Nature Nurtures
So, I came across an old news story that pointed out the findings of a research study on how the brain reacts to romance:
Italian scientists have found that the chemical in the brain which makes us romantic disappears over a year. They say this explains why the happy, wonderful and confident feelings we experience at the start of a relationship do not last forever. Researchers from the University of Pavia discovered that levels of a chemical called Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) greatly increase when a person first falls in love. NGF levels come from the rush of adrenalin and love of life that occur when new love blossoms. The chemical fades over a year or so after people become more secure in a relationship.
It strikes me that this seems to be Mother Nature helping get relationships started, but expecting the couple to pull its own weight after she's set in motion the machinery of love. Really, though, I think it's fair to be a little upset that Mother Nature doesn't let us keep that giddy love for the duration of our lifetime with our chosen companion. It would certainly make things easier, I think. But then, I've heard that love is something you have to work for - something you have to strive for. I suppose if she just kept us in a drugged state it would make the love seem less real.
Italian scientists have found that the chemical in the brain which makes us romantic disappears over a year. They say this explains why the happy, wonderful and confident feelings we experience at the start of a relationship do not last forever. Researchers from the University of Pavia discovered that levels of a chemical called Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) greatly increase when a person first falls in love. NGF levels come from the rush of adrenalin and love of life that occur when new love blossoms. The chemical fades over a year or so after people become more secure in a relationship.
It strikes me that this seems to be Mother Nature helping get relationships started, but expecting the couple to pull its own weight after she's set in motion the machinery of love. Really, though, I think it's fair to be a little upset that Mother Nature doesn't let us keep that giddy love for the duration of our lifetime with our chosen companion. It would certainly make things easier, I think. But then, I've heard that love is something you have to work for - something you have to strive for. I suppose if she just kept us in a drugged state it would make the love seem less real.
posted by Dave at 1:32:00 PM
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