Free The Brain in Love: 12 Lessons to Enhance Your Love Life by Daniel G. Amen

stimulate the motivation and drive system in the brain are the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and phenylethylamine (PEA). These neurotransmitters play a role in the initial phase of attraction as well but it is really in the second phase of infatuation where their release becomes more active and predominant. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help regulate the electrical signals between nerve cells in the brain. The brain is constantly seeking to keep itself balanced through increasing or decreasing amounts of these substances, some of which excite the body, for example when you see your new love from a distance and your heart starts to pound uncontrollably, and some of which calm the system and allow you to enjoy the moment, “smell the roses,” and have the “warm, fuzzy” feelings associated with a new relationship.
    Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
    Epinephrine and norepinephrine, produced in the adrenal glands, spinal cord, and brain, are considered excitatory neurotransmittersbecause they cause that “adrenaline rush” feeling when the heart beats faster, blood pressure goes up, and the body is prepared to take action either in the face of a threat or in the presence of a positive stimuli such as a potential love partner. The feeling of zest and excitement comes from these chemicals as they help to facilitate both sexual arousal and orgasm. High levels of these chemicals are associated with anxiety, and low levels with depression. Chronic stress, low levels of the sex hormones estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and genetics can all lead to low levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, creating interference with “the laws of attraction.” Certain medications, such as stimulants or supplements like the amino acid tyrosine, can help to increase levels of these chemicals in those who have a deficiency. Medications and forms of therapy including hypnosis and biofeedback are also used to decrease these levels when they get too high, such as when individuals refrain from asking someone who they find attractive out on a date because they are afraid they will get overly anxious, their palms and face will get sweaty, or they will fumble over their words.
    Dopamine
    The most important and well-studied neurotransmitter associated with infatuation is dopamine. Produced in the central part of the brain, dopamine is associated with pleasure, motivation, and concentration. It has been shown to work in the reward centers of the brain. Proper amounts are associated with healthy motivation and sexual drive. Individuals feel “sexy” when they have enough of this chemical. A study by Dr. Helen Fisher published in 2002 helps explain the activity of dopamine in the brain when people are falling in love. She and a team of experts recruited forty subjects who had just fallen in love—twenty who stayed in love, the other half who had recently split up. She put each of these people into an MRI tube with a photo of a sweetheart and one of an acquaintance. Each subject looked at the sweetheart photo forthirty seconds, then—after a distraction task—at the acquaintance photo for another thirty seconds. They switched back and forth for twelve minutes. The result was a picture of the brain in love. There was increased activity in the right ventral-tegmental area. This is the part of the brain where dopamine cells project into other areas of the brain, including the basal ganglia, part of the brain’s system for reward and motivation. The sweetheart photos, but not the acquaintance photos, caused this to happen. In addition, several parts of the prefrontal cortex that are highly wired in the dopamine pathways were used, while the amygdala in the temporal lobes, associated with fear, was temporarily put out of commission.
    While high levels of dopamine are associated with attraction, low levels are associated with certain types of depression,