The brain is responsible for all the different stages of love that are felt like: infatuation, attachment, heartbreak and moving on.
Infatuation – this is the initial stage of love in which an individual starts to fall for someone and often day dream about them. The brain’s VTA- ventral tegmental area shows an increased activity in the individual who is infatuated. The VTA is the reward processing and motivational hub of the brain which releases the happy hormone – dopamine. Dopamine reduces the activity of the brain’s cognitive ability which is controlled by the prefrontal cortex. This stage lasts for only a few months
Attachment- this is the next stage. It is also called the compassionate love. In this stage the individual feels calmer and more connected with their love. Oxytocin and vasopressin are released during this stage and they are called the bonding hormone. Therefore, romantic love is no different from any other type of love like the one with family. Oxytocin release also reduces any stress and the individual feels more relaxed with this love. Unlike the first stage where and individual couldn’t not make any judgements and found their partner to be perfect, in this stage they are able to think better and understand their partner more.
Heartbreak – the last stage in which the individual is heartbroken and moves on. In this stage the brain’s insular cortex is activated and the person feels pain which can be either physical or mental. The heartbroken individual starts to daydream about that person again and an increase in the VTA is observed just like the initial stage. An increase in desire and hunger to reach out to them is developed. However, the cognitive ability of the brain by the cortex region is able to put a stop on these thoughts and eventually the person overcomes these feelings.
Paawni Goyal 