The Spooky Side of Love

As Halloween approaches, it’s hard not to notice the theme of the month ~ Spooky!

So The Love Post is getting in on the fun . . . Taking a look at the spooky side of Love!

Did you know that Love affects the brain in a similar way to taking drugs?

Research shows that being in Love elevates levels of the hormone dopamine, just as drugs like cocaine and heroine do.

Spooky Stuff

“We now know that the chemical changes in parts of the brain when you’re in love are equal to that of heroin doses or high cocaine doses, so you kind of know — If you have to ask if you’re in love, you’re not”

               ~JoAnn Deak, Psychologist

Anthropologist Helen Fisher says, “romantic love is not an emotion, it’s a drive”.

Her TED Talk about her research reveals that there are three kinds of Love: Sex drive, romantic Love and Attachment.

These each serve a purpose and can be experienced independent of each other.

This is why it’s possible to be in Love with someone and still feel attracted to another person.

Thankfully, we have the ability to make healthy decisions (regardless of what our sex drive may want to do). We can stay committed to our partner and continue to develop our strong sense of attachment and security with this person.

Still, it’s important to be aware of just how powerful these elements of Love are in our lives.

And we’re wise to recognize how intense the longing for Love can be.

If you’re waiting for Love to arrive, be extra kind to yourself. Know that it’s perfectly okay and normal to feel pretty bummed out about being alone.

Now, don’t get me wrong, enjoy life to the fullest. Getting out there and living it up makes it way more likely that you’ll bump into that special someone soon!

But understand that your brain is going to be super excited to meet your Love.

Fisher shares her concern about the increasingly common long-term use of anti-depressants. These drugs increase seratonine levels . . . and also decrease levels of Love hormones (as I’ll call them) that are so good and important for us.

It really is kinda spooky to think about . . .

So, stay alert ~ During this spooky season and every season.

Stay up to date with The Love Post. Get your free subscription here.

And keep on taking care of your beautiful, Loving self!

Love you first and Love will come your way!