Makers Magazine - Spring 2024 - Flipbook - Page 42
THE SECOND STAGE IS CALLED
“ATTENTION”
Dopamine provides feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate us to do, or
continue doing, certain activities. Thus, it can be understood why this chemical is a part
of the “in love” sensation we experience as it creates feelings of bliss. Like Dopamine,
Serotonin is also responsible for multiple aspects of the body and brain function.
This monoamine is known for “constricting smooth muscles, transmitting impulses
between nerve cells, regulating cyclic body processes and contributing to well being and
happiness (MedicalNewsToday).” I know I’ve once again probably lost you, but the key
part of that sentence is serotonin’s contribution to well being and happiness. Thus, this
specifically correlates to the “attraction” stage as it’s decrease in levels are substantial
to the love process. It may seem contradicting to state the decrease of this chemical is
substantial for the “in love” feeling since it contributes to well-being and happiness.
However, the lack of serotonin results in obsessive behavior which materializes itself
while you’re in love through excessive thoughts of the person you’re in love with.
The last monoamine is norepinephrine and it’s responsible for “increasing the force
of skeletal muscle contraction and the rate and force of contraction of the heart
(Brittanica).”
DOMPAMINE IS A PART OF THE “IN LOVE”
SENSATION WE EXPERIENCE AS
it creates feelings of bliss.
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