At the very core of being human lies the capacity for love. This powerful emotion takes various forms, from the adoration of your favourite chocolate bar to the “to die for” love that parents experience for their children. Somewhere in the middle is the profound emotion of lust and infatuation that can evolve into long-term romantic love. When unrequited, it can be devastating. When lost, the grief can quite literally kill. So, this month, let us draw our attention to the multitude of health benefits brought about by humanity’s greatest emotion – Love!
Intertwined emotions, subconscious connections, and a sense of belonging are the tip of the iceberg. These induce a potent biochemical cocktail within our bodies that influence physical and mental well-being, ultimately shaping our fitness journeys.
1. The Chemistry of Love: Dopamine, Oxytocin, and Serotonin
Dopamine: This neurotransmitter, associated with the brain’s reward system, surges during romantic encounters. It creates feelings of pleasure and reinforcement. This “dopamine high” is comparable to the euphoria felt during exercise. Even couples who have been married for decades showed neural activity in dopamine-rich regions associated with reward and motivation, similar to those in early-stage romantic love.
Oxytocin: Often referred to as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is released during physical touch, such as hugging and kissing. It promotes feelings of trust, bonding, and intimacy. Neuroscientist Stephanie Cacioppo, PhD, author of Wired for Love: A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance, Loss, and the Essence of Human Connection, conducted fMRI studies on the brain. She found that 12 areas of the brain work together to release the “feel-good” hormone dopamine, the “love hormone” oxytocin, and adrenaline, which induces a euphoric sense of purpose. Findings indicated that the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, areas involved in the brain’s reward circuit, lit up on brain scans when talking about a loved one. Research has shown that higher levels of oxytocin are linked to reduced stress and anxiety, creating a more positive mental environment for pursuing fitness goals.
Serotonin: This neurotransmitter is responsible for regulating mood, appetite, and intrusive anxious thoughts. It influences feelings of happiness and emotional stability. However, love’s impact on serotonin largely depends on gender. For men, serotonin levels decrease in response to a romantic relationship, while women experience a significant increase. This surprising connection was examined in a 2012 study published in the Journal of Psychophysiology. Low levels of serotonin are common among those with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. “This explains why people in the early stages of love can become obsessed with small details, spending hours debating about a text to or from their beloved,” Dr Cacioppo remarks.
As love grows and the initial thrill subsides, more areas of the brain become active. Cacioppo explains, “People in love have this symbiotic, synergistic connection thanks to the mirror neuron system, and that’s why we often say some couples are better together than the sum of their parts,” she said. “Love makes us sharper and more creative thinkers.”
Long-term love boosts activation in more cognitive areas of the brain, such as the angular gyrus, the part of the brain associated with complex language functions, and the mirror neuron system, a region that helps you anticipate the actions of a loved one.
2. Physical Health Benefits of Love
There are surprising, tangible physical health benefits that come with being in love. Numerous studies have shown that people in committed relationships often experience lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease, and longer lifespans. Love decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, allowing the body to relax. Lower stress levels can lead to improved immune function and overall health, creating a more conducive environment for fitness and well-being. However, as anyone in a long-term relationship can attest to, this can work to your detriment. Loved ones can annoy more severely than any mere acquaintance, leading to epic bursts of cortisol.
In fact, when reading a draft of this paragraph, my husband ended in fits of laughter at the thought of relationships reducing stress! I may stress him out, but laughter is the best medicine, so hopefully, I’ve negated any potential health issues I may have induced!
3. Motivation and Accountability
Another huge factor in love and health is motivation and accountability. Partners often motivate and encourage each other to push beyond perceived limitations, maximising the benefits of fitness routines. Sharing healthy meals or training towards common goals, like running a marathon, can help both parties stick to a routine. This camaraderie makes exercise more enjoyable and strengthens the bond between couples—even if it’s over a shared dislike of broccoli or running!
On the flip side, if one partner doesn’t fancy sweating it out in spin class and would rather spend the evening with a KFC bucket and Netflix, it can propagate unhealthy behaviours.
4. Physical Affection and Its Role in Health
Physical affection is another crucial aspect of love that contributes to health. Cuddling, kissing, and holding hands release oxytocin and endorphins, both of which are associated with happiness and well-being. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide with analgesic and bonding properties (Agren et al., 1995). Studies have shown that affectionate behaviours can reduce pain perception—always useful for those post-workout DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).
On a microscopic level, physical contact leads to shared microbes, increasing microbiome diversity. People with a lower gut microbiome diversity are more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, type 2 diabetes, eczema, and psoriatic arthritis.
5. The Microbiome and Love
Research published in Nature found that married individuals harbour microbial communities of greater diversity and richness relative to those living alone, with the greatest diversity among couples reporting close relationships.
Just one passionate kiss can transfer trillions of microbes between the couple. If one partner is physically fit and eats a plant-rich diet, a multitude of beneficial microbes can be bestowed upon their loved one. Every single part of our body hosts microbial life, meaning that all forms of intimacy might impact microbial diversity and overall health.
Again, this works both ways. Someone with a less than ideal microbiome will transfer unhelpful microbes to their partner. So much is still unknown about the microbiome, despite extensive ongoing research. So, if your partner doesn’t eat their 30 plants a week, don’t throw in the towel just yet. You can still gain all the health benefits of love that come with a supportive and caring relationship.
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