The Science of Love

Dave Cowan reports on Helen Fisher's talk at the 2008 Ted conference.

"We are not an animal that was made to be happy - we are an animal that was made to reproduce." 

Dave hasn't read her book yet, but he thinks it must be good "because Richard Dawkins endorsed it". 

Fisher reports the clinical results of brain scans that show similar pathways among those who are in love as those who have just recently been dumped. The conclusion is that the "love chemicals" remain activated for some time after terminating a relationship--in fact they can even strengthen amidst unrequited love. Other points of interest:

• the brain regions activated during thoughts of love are the same regions activated during the contemplation of highly risky behavior;
• a broken heart manifests the same physical symptoms as any other physical addiction; and
• all animals in the wild (not in captivity) are discriminating in their choice of mate (except perhaps those slutty, cheating crows).

 

Dave Cowan, TED Friday afternoon (4 March 2008)

Helen Fisher, Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love (Henry Holt, 2004) 

Helen Fisher, Why We Love, Why We Cheat (TED Talks, February 2006)

Helen Fisher, The Brain in Love (TED Talks, February 2008)