Almost everyone has heard a love story, with all of the psychological and physical effects, but have you ever thought Is love is just an idea our brains have adapted to find a meaning to life, or is love biologically ingrained into humans themselves?
The Meaning of Life and Agape:
Life is brimming with people that try to find meaning for life, many people follow religions or other beliefs, but how does this affect love?
The concept of spiritual love is said to come in many different forms and is incredibly individualistic. It can add infinity to finite facts, values the essence of a person, and is often described as divine.
Yet some beliefs explain love in much simpler terms.
For example, non-religious people may believe in the mysticism of spiritual love through personal choice. They may describe it as people choosing personality traits and the need for such love to come about, to give life and love meaning.
Similarly, Christianity teaches practices such as agape to be shown to all, especially God. Agape can be defined as unconditional love for all, but does this mean that love can be given to all people, just in different forms?
The Science:
Biologically, we are nothing but clusters of cells, however, do our thoughts, desires, and love reflect this?
Did you know that humans have their own adjacent form of pheromones?
The chemical compound androstenedione is described as having potent, pheromone-like activities within humans. This can be converted into a more odorous and concentrated pheromone, androsterone. This does not alter behaviour directly; it leads subtle changes and heightens hormones in many.
This biological alteration can signify many more triggers, for example oxytocin, which drives attachment in relationships through its direct stimulation of the pathway to dopamine, a compelling desire-based brain signal that forms rewards of happiness.
This means that someone may notice feelings of happiness associated with love. But is this simply the primal, animalistic love or is it truly spiritual?
When the first dopamine waves fade, another hormone is released called vasopressin. This drives commitment and loyalty, which some may see as the personal choice of love.
The overloads of dopamine can set your attention on one person, causing a blackout for people other than the one causing such. This is why people say that when you love someone, you think about only them for periods of time.
Neurones in the brain cause endorphins making feelings of comfort, trust, and belonging. They also relieve pain and stress, meaning when around someone you love, one may be a lot calmer. Love may be boundless, but it is clearly not by chance, it is your body’s own reaction and choice.
Chemical or Spiritual?
Whilst the choices you make and the course of the relationship play an active role in love, it is clear that love is ultimately a biological process. Spirituality and personal experience have a part in relationships, yet the reasoning behind many these is caused by the chemicals in your biological DNA.
By Natalia Glynn