Passionate in love and romance reveals intense brain workout, says study

Ever thought that people in love and romance showed improved human behaviour. Yes, the research of Stephanie Cacioppo, Research Associate at the University of Chicago has revealed that love is not merely an emotional activity. 

Cacioppo runs the Department of Psychology’s High Performance Electrical Neuroimaging Lab. In her research she has broken the myth that love is the outcome of certain emotions and is not a brain activity.

In her research she has mapped the increased activity of the angular gyrus that is located behind the ear. Other than humans, it is found onl in apes. 

According to Cacioppo, the brain is programmed for love. “Love is universal. We all have the brain areas needed to feel love,” says Stephanie Cacioppo. 

Cacioppo uses brain scans to pinpoint the telltale signs of this misunderstood emotion. “Love is not only an emotion,” Cacioppo explains. “It is a mechanism that promotes companionship, mutual assistance and a genetic legacy. 

Love doesn’t activate the whole brain but a very specific brain network important for emotions, motivations, rewards, and high-order cognitive functions needed for self-representation and understanding the intentions of others.”

According to John Cacioppo, (Stephanie's husband), loneliness provides a kind of emotional kick-in-the-pants to go out and make the kind of social connections that can lead to love. If that is not enough then lust will definitely drive the person to fetch love. 

(With inputs from University of Chicago, Division of Social Sciences)