Is Love Anything More than an Oxytocin Addiction?

[Danmac]

So is what most people call "love" anything more than an oxytocin addiction? Why or why not?

This is an excerpt from a very good book written in the 1800's I think it answers your question quite well. Here is a link to the particular chapter called, "the psychology of righteousness" by Charles Finney if you care to read it.

POWER FROM ON HIGH by Charles G. Finney

 

[dust1n]

This is an excerpt from a very good book written in the 1800's I think it answers your question quite well. Here is a link to the particular chapter called, "the psychology of righteousness" by Charles Finney if you care to read it.

POWER FROM ON HIGH by Charles G. Finney

Why would a book written in the 1800's have anything to do with oxytocin? It couldn't even be synthesized until 1953.

 

[Sunstone]

This is an excerpt from a very good book written in the 1800's I think it answers your question quite well. Here is a link to the particular chapter called, "the psychology of righteousness" by Charles Finney if you care to read it.

POWER FROM ON HIGH by Charles G. Finney

Thank you for the passage. It was interesting, but I failed to see how it was applicable.

 

[Sunstone]

Possibly. There are actually two types of love. The first is known as passionate love. The brain releases high amounts of norepinephrine, dopamine, and phenlethylamine. These chemicals produce the same effects as psychoactive drugs. Our brain cannot produce such high levels of these drugs so it only lasts months at most. The second type of love is compassionate love. This is long term and our brain releases endorphins. All of these chemicals can be very addictive obviously. The chemical you are talking about is released generally during orgasm. So it could be part of the reason sex is so addicting. Obviously there are other reasons. And this could theoretically help make a person believe they are in love.

I think you are generally correct, although I would dispute some details of what you say. Especially, I would dispute that oxytocin is released most often during orgasm. You are leaving out cuddling, stroking, breast feeding, massages, and so forth -- all of which release oxytocin. I will grant however that the release of oxytocin during orgasm is a powerful thing -- especially if you are a female with estrogen running through your veins. Estrogen multiplies the effects of oxytocin by a factor of 10.

 

[Danmac]

Thank you for the passage. It was interesting, but I failed to see how it was applicable.

That's funny. I apologize, I misread the OP. I thought you said oxycontin not oxytocin.

 

[Danmac]

So is what most people call "love" anything more than an oxytocin addiction? Why or why not?

I would like to chime in and take another shot at it.First of all I think people confuse love and affection. I believe your point is that it is the good feeling generated by oxytocin levels that prompts people to love. Correct me if I am wrong. This probably doesn't have anything to do with what you are looking for, but affection and love are not the same thing. The effects of oxytocin levels have nothing to do with love, since it is two different subjects.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Every emotion we feel is associated with chemistry somehow. But that doesn't make them less real or significant.

Does the body originate emotions or does it manifest them?

 

[dust1n]

Every emotion we feel is associated with chemistry somehow. But that doesn't make them less real or significant.

No, and no one is suggesting that.

Does the body originate emotions or does it manifest them?

Originate.

 

[Midnight Pete]

Some varieties of love certainly look a lot like addictions.

People can become addicted to the feeling of falling in love, the initial bliss of a new romance. But when this initial glow subsides, they go looking for another, seeking to prolong this feeling as long as possible with as many new people as necessary.

 

[Sunstone]

OK. I see everyone knows oxytocin can cause an addiction that many people will call love. And it only took 130 posts to decide that. See, that was painless!

 

[Midnight Pete]

OK. I see everyone knows oxytocin can cause an addiction that many people will call love. And it only took 130 posts to decide that. See, that was painless!

Does oxytocin cause love or does love release oxytocin? No, I'm still not satisfied.

 

[DarkSun]

So is what most people call "love" anything more than an oxytocin addiction? Why or why not?

No it's not. Oxytocin is released with physical contact, love doesn't require this.