Dating Advice - Love at First Sight

Perhaps you believe in Love at First Sight…well, we do too…although not in what is sometimes called ‘Love at First Site’ (more about that another time!). A word of caution though, the initial phase of falling in love is apparently due to a whole cocktail of chemicals that are released into the brain and so, biochemically speaking, passionate love is similar to substance abuse. Sex and physical attraction to a new partner stimulate the release of hormones designed to keep us together for long enough to reproduce successfully! We are attracted to people who are like us or like our parents in some way (genetics and smell/pheromones both come into play here) and who have characteristics that make us believe they are likely to be a good partner in terms of producing children.

Initial desire or lust is brought on by surges of sex hormones including estrogen and testosterone. These produce a relatively indiscriminate desire for physical gratification. When you fall in love, increases in secretion of PEA or b-Phenylethylamine, creates natural ‘high’ and helps mask any failings of your potential mate. This can last for the first two to four years of the relationship. Gradually over this period, the levels of PEA return to normal. Hopefully by this stage, you will have got to know your partner and to love him or her despite their faults. And, so long as you keep having a physical relationship (even just cuddling) there are hormones which increase and help to create a bond between you.

So, when scientists mention that love is an addiction, they have some grounds for what they are saying. Despite that, the bodily processes themselves are not ‘Love’. Perhaps Love is how we interpret the feelings that the chemicals engender – or perhaps it is something on a higher level altogether.

Meanwhile, whether you are looking for Love at First Sight or whether you don't believe it exists...whether you want a few new friends of the opposite sex or really only want to meet that special someone we suggest you sign up now for Love and Friends. It's a friendly and personal dating site where we are sure you will find the man or woman of your dreams.