Australian researchers have shed light on the intricate relationship between the brain’s behavioral activation system (BAS) and the phenomenon of romantic love, providing insights into the old adage that “love is blind.”
Scientists from the Australian National University (ANU), University of Canberra, and University of South Australia conducted this world-first research. They explored how romantic love triggers changes in the brain, particularly focusing on the release of oxytocin, the hormone often associated with the euphoria experienced during the early stages of love.
The study, published in the journal Behavioural Sciences, involved a survey of 1,556 young adults who were in love. The survey examined their emotional responses to their partners, behavior around them, and the extent to which their loved ones were prioritized over others.
Findings reveal that being in love alters brain activity, placing the beloved at the center of one’s world. “We actually know very little about the evolution of romantic love,” noted Adam Bode, the study’s lead researcher and a PhD student at ANU. He explained that romantic love first appeared approximately five million years ago, following the evolutionary split from great apes.
Dr. Phil Kavanagh, from the University of Canberra, highlighted that romantic love is not only an emotional experience but also influences behavior. “The special importance given to loved ones is a result of oxytocin interacting with dopamine, a chemical released during romantic love. This combination activates brain pathways associated with positive feelings,” he explained.