November 20, 2009
UTNE READER

The Science of Love

December 16, 2002 Issue
By Nick Garafola, Utne 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Author Cary Parker asks the question: If being in love is a good thing, then why do we say falling in love when the word falling has such a negative connotation? Refusing to be befuddled by such questions Professor Samir Zeki of University College London set out to deconstruct love from a scientific standpoint. Studies found that the sensation of being in love can be attributed to four parts of the brain and four different chemicals: phenylethylamine, dopamine, norepinephrine and the reduction of serotonin. Dr. Helen Fisher from SUNY Stonybrook on Long Island found that there is a strong correlation between feelings of love, drug addiction and mental illness. For those who haven't yet experienced the joy of being madly in love, the author of the article suggests eating a Whopper (animal protein reduces serotonin), downing some amphetamines, and getting a shot of adrenaline by driving real fast down the wrong side of the road. The combination would produce a chemical reaction more or less equal to the sensation of being madly in love.
--Nick Garafola

RELATED CONTENT

Go there>> http://www.flakmag.com/misc/love.html

Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

We’d like to know what you think. To comment, please use this form. E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments. First time registrants: You will receive an email confirming your email address. Once you confirm, your comment will be posted. Questions about our comments policy? Click here.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Utne Reader?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save $6!
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Want to gain a fresh perspective? Read stories that matter? Feel optimistic about the future? It's all here! Utne Reader offers provocative writing from diverse perspectives, insightful analysis of art and media, down-to-earth news and in-depth coverage of eye-opening issues that affect your life.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $6 and get 6 issues of Utne Reader for only $29.95 (USA only).

Or Bill Me Later and pay just $36 for 6 issues of Utne Reader!