Do you believe in love at first sight?
According to the research of Dr. Stephanie Ortigue, brain stimulation rush can lead to feelings of "love" in 0.2 seconds of eye contact! Feelings of euphoria, elation, excitement, curiosity with an excessive focus on the person seem to quickly take over a person's body and experience.
Is it really "love" or something else?
Philosophically, the question remains: Is love at first sight really love for the other person or something else? Brain-based research in the last decade has helped to understand the mechanics of love and attraction. When someone says they are "in love," chemicals and hormones are released from at least 12 specific brain regions that cause feelings of excitement, euphoria, and connection (such as adrenaline, oxytocin, and dopamine).
Surprisingly, the love brain circuitry is very similar to what happens in the brain with drugs like cocaine: you can feel high, crave more, and even become addicted to a partner.
However, the truth is that love at first sight is by definition an experience that one has before knowing anything about the other person. We tend to say we "fell in love" during the honeymoon phase of romantic relationships, which occurs early in love when we generally know very little about the other person. It is often described as an instant connection, attraction or desire for another person upon meeting them, sometimes without even knowing the other person's name!
So is this love?
Well, the answer is that it depends on how we define love. On the one hand, love at first sight is part of the high-arousal experience characteristic of the early stages of intense romantic love that we think of as lust. On the other hand, love at first sight is not representative of the secure, connected, and shared experiences of people who truly know their partner that is characteristic of relationships. This deeper love takes time and intimacy to develop over time.
The plain truth is this: Many people believe in or have truly experienced "love at first sight." When it does, the feeling is euphoric, exhilarating and intoxicating. That said, whether this "love" - ??or lust - can turn into a meaningful romantic relationship is another matter entirely. Finding a way to connect with a partner is key to a long-lasting relationship. This connection can start with a spark or develop slowly over time.
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