How To Understand The Chemistry Of Love And Keep The Romance Alive Most people believe that love comes straight from the heart but you may be surprised to hear that this is simply not true and its just a popular myth. Love is actually a chemical process and comes straight from the brain which is why its so important to understand how it works if you want to keep the romance alive and have a long and successful relationship. We all know the feeling of being in a new romantic loving relationship with all of the constant heart pounding, sweaty palms, sleep deprivation, and obsessive cravings. But these symptoms are all caused by chemicals that are released by the brain so its possible to revive them and bring back the feeling of first being in love. In the early stages of a romantic relationship the brain releases a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA) which is also known as the "love drug" because it makes you feel more alert and gives you a sense of well being and contentment. This chemical is responsible for making you feel like you are walking on air and prevents you from sleeping while you think about your partner (which are the common symptoms of being in love). Another chemical that is released is called dopamine which is a neurotransmitter that sends messages from one nerve cell to another in the brain and it boosts energy levels and motivation. The levels of dopamine rise when you are challenged or at risk and when you feel needed, appreciated, and rewarded. So when you are first courting or when you first ask someone out on a date your levels of dopamine will be high. There are also other neurotransmitters which are released by the brain which are called endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins reward you for good behaviour such as when you win, laugh, exercise, have sex, or fall in love, and it motivates you to repeat these experiences. Serotonin helps you relax and feel comfortable, content, and optimistic. One side effect of increased serotonin is the release of oxytocin which is also known as the "hormone of love" because of the way it helps us create long lasting relationships. It lets you bond with the people you love and it increases the passion and romance with your partner. It can make you feel like you are in the early stages of a romantic relationship again and it also releases more endorphins which help you stay in love for a long period of time. The great thing about oxytocin is that its often triggered by touch so an intimate hug or massage will in turn release the hormone in your partner who will then feel the need to reciprocate. Suddenly, you will both feel the need to intimately touch and caress each other and this will strengthen the bond and increase the love you have for one another. Another chemical that is present in both men and women is called testosterone which boosts your sex drive but its also released to prepare your body for intimacy which is why couples are so sexually active during the early stages of a relationship. Its common for testosterone levels to decrease as you age which reduces your sex drive. The problem is that after the first few years of being with your partner the body becomes used to the chemicals that bombard it when you are in love and many people find it hard to accept the new phase of the relationship which is why divorce rates are so high during this period. Its important to understand that after the initial excitement of falling in love the next phase of a relationship is more romantic and involves loyalty, comfort, stability, intimacy, dependability, and commitment. This is a different kind of love that must be accepted if the relationship is to continue long into the future. Find Out More About Instant Hot Rod