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The Enigma of Love’s Promises: Navigating Complex Human Bonds
Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA.
Love has been a source of intrigue and fascination for as long as human beings have walked the Earth. It is a feeling that transcends time, is deeply entwined with our biology, and is a cornerstone of our mental and emotional well-being. While the depths of love’s mysteries have yet to be revealed, its power is undeniable.
Love is a universal experience, yet it manifests in countless ways. It manifests itself in the relationships between parents and children, friends, and romantic partners, all of which are the result of the particular synthesis of biological, psychological, and social forces. To truly understand love’s promise and learn to navigate its complexities, we must explore the nuances of the bio-psycho-social framework.
The Biology of Love
At the biological level, our experience of love is governed by the release of neurotransmitters and hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. When love is new, we are flooded with a rush of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, which triggers a euphoric feeling and a strong sense of connection with the other person. As the relationship progresses, these neurotransmitters begin to fluctuate, timing the changes in our feelings and prompting us to contemplate the…