Love is one of the most intense emotions we experience. It is also a feeling that is shared among many different groups of people. It can be felt for many things, including other people, animals, principles, and religions.

It is not always easy to explain what exactly love is, and there are plenty of different opinions on what it means. However, most people agree that love is an emotion based on feelings of affection and deep respect for another person.

Everyone experiences some form of love in their lives, whether it’s a parent, a friend, or a romantic partner. It’s a powerful feeling that can help you to feel safe, loved, and happy in your life.

When you’re in love, you tend to think about your partner a lot and miss them often. You might even start to resent your own life when you’re not spending time with them. This feeling can make you want to be around them more and even go out of your way to show them how much you care, according to Jacqueline Olds, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School.

The feeling of love is also a part of your brain’s reward system, which can lead you to experience high levels of dopamine when you think about your partner. This makes you yearn for them and crave them in ways that are similar to how you would when you’re hungry or thirsty, DeAlto says.

Despite the differences in how we define love, scientists and psychologists have discovered a number of patterns that can help us understand when and how we fall in love. These patterns are based on the hormones our brains release when we feel the emotional surge of love.

1. Lust for the Body

When we’re in love, we tend to focus on our bodies and sexually attractive qualities. It’s a primal reaction that stems from our evolutionary past and the desire to reproduce.

2. Attraction for the Heart

When you’re in love, your sense of attraction can be so strong that it can drive you to seek out your partner, if necessary. You may be tempted to eat, drink, or sleep with them, and you might even begin to think about your future together.

3. Storge for the Soul

For those in more committed relationships, storge can be an important form of love. It involves trusting your partner and being open to sharing your life with them. This type of love can be more difficult to develop, but it can be a rewarding relationship if you and your partner are willing to work hard for it.

4. Forgiving Your Partner

When your partner does something that hurts you, it is best to forgive them in order for the two of you to move forward in your relationship. In fact, the psychology of love tells us that forgiveness is one of the most powerful tools for building a healthy and happy relationship.

It is also crucial to remember that we all make mistakes, and that it is okay for each of us to have them. If you’re having trouble forgiving your partner, it’s a sign that you’re not communicating effectively in your relationship.