The Science Of Love: Why we lose Sleep,Food and our Minds!!
Ever noticed how your newly-committed friends start acting a little… off? They stay up late, skip meals, stop hanging out, and seem completely absorbed by one person, day and night. You might even catch yourself saying, “What is wrong with you? How can you survive without food, sleep, or Netflix?”
Sound familiar? Or maybe you would have experienced this (Sorry to my single bros)
Romantic movies always show it through montages or love songs: “Can’t eat, can’t sleep, just thinking about them.” But how real is that? Because let’s be honest, if someone not in a relationship spent their days doing nothing, they’d get bored out of their minds. So, what’s happening here?
Why does love seem to turn people’s worlds upside down?
Well, my friends, welcome to the wild world of Dopamine—the “happy hormone” that’s secretly behind all this weird behavior. Let’s break it down.
What is Dopamine, Anyway?
Dopamine is a feel-good chemical released in your brain whenever you’re about to do something you enjoy. It’s like your brain’s internal reward system.
Let’s put it this way: Imagine seeing your favorite cake sitting in the kitchen. The sight of that cake triggers your brain to release a small burst of dopamine, and suddenly, you’re excited. You can’t wait to dig in. That’s dopamine at work! It’s the same chemical rush you get when you receive a text from a close friend, play a video game, or anticipate something fun. But here’s the catch: after that initial burst, the dopamine fades, and your brain returns to normal.
But What Happens When You Fall in Love?
When you’re in love, things get supercharged. It’s not just a tiny, cake-sized amount of dopamine. Nope, when it comes to love, your brain goes into dopamine overdrive. Because love isn’t just exciting—it’s powerful. Your brain releases massive amounts of dopamine, giving you that heart-racing, butterfly-in-your-stomach feeling. The world starts to feel more intense, colors seem brighter, and every interaction with that special person feels electrifying.
Now here’s where things get really interesting: When you’re flooded with this much dopamine, all the smaller sources of dopamine—like food, sleep, TV, or hanging out with friends—start to feel… well, a little dull. Imagine trying to compare the light from a matchstick to a blazing forest fire. The little things just don’t stand a chance! The rush you get from love overshadows all the other things that usually make you feel good.
Why Normal Stuff Feels Boring Now ?
So, when your friends stop eating properly or avoid hanging out, it’s not that they want to. It’s just that their brain is so focused on this massive dopamine surge from love that everything else feels insignificant. Why eat a sandwich when you can think about the person who gives you butterflies? Why binge-watch Netflix when you can daydream about your next conversation with them?
This is why the typical “can’t eat, can’t sleep” scenario isn’t just movie magic—it’s rooted in brain chemistry. Love literally makes other sources of joy seem less important. Your brain is prioritizing the relationship, making everything else fade into the background.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
If you’ve ever wondered why love makes people act so irrational, you’re not imagining things. Their brain is simply working overtime to prioritize their new obsession, leaving the usual pleasures—like sleep, food, and even socializing—on the back burner. It’s a normal, albeit intense, side effect of being in love.
And if you’re experiencing it yourself, don’t worry. You’re not going crazy. You’re just riding the wild dopamine rollercoaster that comes with falling in love. Enjoy the ride!
Bonus Book Recommendation:
If you’re more interested in learning about our brain chemicals especially Dopamine , check out the book “Dopamine Nation”. The book explains how our brain’s “feel-good” chemical, dopamine, can lead us to seek constant pleasure through things like technology or entertainment, which can make us feel addicted or unhappy over time. However, the book offers a hopeful message: by learning to balance pleasure and pain, and making small sacrifices like limiting screen time, we can reset our brains and find more lasting happiness. It’s about understanding ourselves better and living a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Click the Book image for Amazon Link.
About me
Hello !
I’m Balaji Sakthivel, a lifelong learner with a passion for exploring a wide range of fascinating topics. For the longest time, I wanted to share the knowledge and curious ideas I’ve gathered, and now, through this blog, that dream has become a reality.
On Thinkhooman, I’ll be posting intriguing facts and insights on topics that spark curiosity in all of us. My goal is to break down complex ideas into simple, digestible content that’s accessible to everyone.
Feel free to dive in, read, and if anything piques your interest or you’d like to discuss further, drop me a message. Let’s keep feeding our curious minds together, one thought at a time. Cheers!
Nice illustration 👌
Interesting 💖