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Love is one of the most extreme emotions in the world. Its monumental effects have been immortalised in the pages of history, literature and mythology. Many song lyrics and poetry focus on the subject and it’s the sole substance of many popular television programmes. Who would have thought that something so magical and life changing could be explained scientifically step-by-step?

Well, as much as we may wallow in our romantic ideals, falling in love definitely does have a scientific explanation. Whether we meet on http://www.eharmony.co.uk or at university, everybody goes through the same chemical processes when they form an attachment. There are three main stages:

1) Lust

Our sex hormones – testosterone for men, oestrogen and progesterone for women – give us that urge to get out there and find someone to attract us and ultimately fulfil that underlying instinct to reproduce.

2) Attraction

This is the ‘falling in love’ part which most people associate with an accelerated heart rate, a dry mouth and feeling generally obsessed with the idea of someone. This is the phase known by some as ‘crazy in love’ or ‘love-struck’. Some very powerful neurotransmitters known as ‘monoamines’ are at work here:

• Dopamine – This gives you a huge rush of pleasure when you’re around your crush or even thinking about them.
• Norepinephrine (adrenalin) – This causes a stress reaction when we are around our match – the rather annoying symptoms of quickening of pulse, sweaty palms and tongue-tying nervousness come from here. It’s our fight or flight instinct kicking in as our body feels challenged to respond.
• Serotonin – This triggers the obsession of love, keeping your match constantly in your thoughts. This is what makes us go temporarily insane and put our love lives before any other consideration.

3) Attachment

This is the ‘real love’ where all the madness dies down and true attachment begins. It is what makes millions of people form rewarding long-term relationships and get married every year, whether they met on online dating Muslim sites or through friends. Biologically, this is designed to keep a couple together so they can raise their children. Two hormones come into play here:

• Oxytocin – This hormone is released by both sexes during an orgasm and strengthens the bond between couples. It is also the hormone that is released after childbirth to cement the relationship between mother and child.
• Vasopressin – Also released after sex, this hormone encourages feelings of devotion and loyalty.

However much scientists try to explain away the feelings of love with explanations of hormones and diagrams of the brain, they can never take away the truly ethereal feeling it gives us. Whether it is an age-old instinct driven by chemicals or a kind of wonderful magic, where would we be without it?