Being in love, having somebody you deeply care for or enjoying the company of that special someone can be a great feeling- the elevated feeling of being on cloud nine and the joy it brings people yearning for a healthy and loving relationship. Everyone claims love changes people, and there are many biological bodily changes that take place when you are in love. Here are some ways love can change the way you are. It Gives You a Dopamine Rush When you fall in love, your brain gets flooded with dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel really good. Harvard Health explains that when one is in love, there is a dopamine surge throughout the body, like the pleasure you get from other enjoyable activities. It's the brain's way of rewarding you, making you want to be around that person more. It Helps You Form Strong Bonds Oxytocin, often called the "love hormone," helps you form strong connections with others, this hormone gets released when you feel attracted to someone. This hormone plays a big part in building relationships, helping you communicate and create good memories together. It's also important for things like childbirth and sex, strengthening the bond between partners. It Can Impair Your Judgment When you're in love, it's hard to see your partner's flaws. Your brain kind of ignores the negative things. Harvard Health explains that love basically deactivates the neural pathways which are responsible for negative emotions. You only see the good stuff, making your partner seem perfect. It's like your brain is wearing rose-colored glasses, focusing only on the positive aspects of the relationship. It Affects Your Fight-or-Flight Response That nervous feeling in your stomach, the sweaty hands, and fast heartbeat? That's your body's "fight-or-flight" response. When you fall in love, your body releases adrenaline and norepinephrine. These chemicals make your heart race and give you a burst of energy. It Affects Your Pain Receptors A 2010 study published in PLOS One showed that love changes the way your pain response works. In the study they gave people small heat stimulants while they looked at a picture of a loved one. This connection helps reduce physical and emotional pain. It shows how powerful love and physical contact can be, providing comfort and support during difficult times. It Affects Your Cortisol And Anxiety Levels Falling in love can also be stressful, experts explain that our body releases more cortisol, which can make you feel anxious. This happens because your brain is dealing with a new and intense situation. It can also cause a drop in serotonin, leading to feelings of uneasiness. It Can Cause Impaired Decision-Making Love can make you do things you wouldn't normally do. Strong feelings of love, especially in the initial stages, can indeed impair decision-making by influencing brain chemistry and leading to heightened emotions and reduced cognitive control. This can lead to impulsive and risky behavior, as you're less worried about the consequences.