Remember those butterflies you got when your crush first asked you out? Or remember that first time she held your hand? Falling in love is a roller coater, emotionally and physically. A recent research has detailed the changes that brain undergoes during this experiences. The intense feelings that love evokes are not just romantic fantasies—they are biologically driven by the release of a range of chemicals that profoundly affect both the brain and body.Love Triggers Brain's Reward SystemWhen you first fall in love, the brain releases a cocktail of hormones which trigger its reward system. These include dopamine, oxytocin (love hormone), vasopressin, and norepinephrine. It is these chemicals that play a crucial role in the way we experience and respond to romantic attraction.Why Does Love Make You Feel Good?Dopamine, often referred to as the "feel-good" hormone, is primarily responsible for reward gratification. It is released by the brain when we engage in rewarding activities, like eating or having sex, but studies show that it is also activated when we see or think about someone we love.Multiple studies, conducted using functional MRI (fMRI) have shown that brain regions associated with reward and pleasure, such as the right ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the right caudate nucleus, become highly active when people in love are shown pictures of someone they love. The aforementioned reasons are involved in motivation, reinforcements, and release of dopamine. This is why love feels so intoxicating.Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and one of the leading researchers on the science of love, describes romantic love as akin to an addiction. In her TED talk, "The Brain in Love," she explains that the brain's response to romantic attraction mimics the same neurochemical pathways used by addictive substances like cocaine. This can make the early stages of love feel like a "high" or an obsessive drive, with the brain constantly craving more of the positive feelings associated with being near or thinking about a loved one.Norepinephrine, which is involved in the body's fight-or-flight response, leads to physical symptoms that many people experience when they fall in love, such as a racing heart, sweaty palms, and a sense of nervous excitement. While norepinephrine adds to the excitement of romantic love, it can also contribute to the anxiety and uncertainty that often accompany new relationships.Another hormones released during the "feeling" of love are oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a crucial role in building emotional connections and trust between partners. Oxytocin or the "love hormone" is released during physical touch, such as holding hands, hugging or kissing helps create a connection or bond. Meanwhile, Vasopressin, a hormone linked to social behavior, helps reinforce long-term commitment and protective instincts towards those we love, strengthening the emotional bond between partners.Does Love Shape Our Behaviour?Interestingly, romantic love has the power not only to alter our emotions but also to induce profound behavioural changes. People in love often become more focused on their partners, making efforts to spend more time together, change their routines, or even alter their physical appearance to align with their partner's preferences. Often, it happens that you idealise your partner, trying to unconsciously ape them. Interestingly, this shift in behaviour is driven by the brain's reward system, which makes our loved one feel uniquely special.Love And Long Term RelationshipThe effects of love are not limited to early attraction. Research has shown that successful long-term relationships require more than just the initial neurochemical rush. Couples who can communicate effectively, share moments of humour, and manage conflict in healthy ways are more likely to maintain strong emotional connections. Many of us are looking to just someone to calm our nervous systems after all. So next time when you hear someone say that they want a partner with a good sense of humour, remember that they are only looking to spend their time with someone who can soothe their brains during stressful moments!