Love is one of the most complicated and unpredictable of human emotions. It can feel like a warm squishiness that envelopes the heart and captivates the soul. It can also make you feel giddy and energetic, which can hinder your ability to think clearly and communicate effectively. While love’s magical, unexplainable qualities have inspired centuries of poetry and philosophy, scientists are now working to understand how it happens in the brain.

Scientists define love as an emotion that involves affection, attachment, and commitment. The feeling of love is a result of complex interactions between the brain and body, and it may include physical sensations, feelings, and behaviors. Researchers have found that love is influenced by genes and environmental factors, as well as by hormones and the release of chemicals in the brain.

It can also involve feelings of compassion, empathy, sacrifice, and devotion. Love can be a powerful motivating force, and it has the potential to make people happy, even in difficult circumstances. It can also lead to negative behaviors, such as jealousy, insecurity, and a desire for control. However, the majority of people who report being in love say they do not believe that these behaviors are a sign of true love.

Researchers believe that love is a primary human emotion, similar to happiness and anger. They also argue that it is not an instinct or a choice, but a biological drive triggered by pheromones and other chemicals in the brain. In addition, they believe that people first feel love for family members and close friends, then move on to romantic relationships.

Research has shown that loving and affectionate interactions with friends, family members, and partners boost your mood, and the positive effects can last for days. In addition, these interactions decrease the production of cortisol and increase oxytocin, which are associated with positive emotional states. These feelings can also help to lower blood pressure, which is associated with stress and can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease.

Whether you are feeling romantic love, friendship love, or self-love, it is important to take time to care for yourself and others. Spending quality time together, hugging, and sending encouraging texts can all positively impact your mood. Love can also reduce your stress levels, and studies have shown that people in supportive relationships have better-regulated blood pressure than those who are not.

The euphoria of romantic love can cause some people to become obsessed with their partner, and this behavior can be harmful to the relationship. This is why it is important to be able to separate your own feelings from those of your partner and focus on the actions that will benefit both of you.