PEA - Love Drug💘

Is love just a superficial feeling? What really goes on in our brains when we are in "Love"? Is it no more than a feeling or is there chemistry involved behind it?

When two people fall in love, there are many chemicals released by the brain causing pupils to dilate, heart beating fast; palms become sweaty, one encounters the feelings of closeness, pleasure and joyfulness. That’s why Helen Fisher termed Love as a drug.

From feeling elated to the ‘heart skipping a beat,’ everything is associated with the release of certain neurotransmitters by our brain called monoamines. Brain’s best known ‘love drug’ is Phenylethylamine.

It is produced more by the brain during first attraction and can also be taken from outside sources. It causes the same intoxicating and irresistible effects as caused by cocaine in our body. It is responsible for the feeling of happiness, diminishing anxiety and the powerful boost that our body experiences when we fall in love.

How does PEA work?

    Phenylethylamine acts as a neuromodulator as well as neurotransmitter in human Central Nervous System. It stimulates the release of the monoamines namely Dopamine and Norepinephrine.   

Dopamine

Dopamine is associated with the brain’s reward circuit giving the feeling of euphoria and motivation. It is also called as a ‘pleasure chemical’. In brain, Dopamine act as a neurotransmitter. While in blood vessels, it inhibits Norepinephrine release. It stimulates dopamine's nerve terminals and activity for feeling pleasure, libido and emotional well-being.

Norepinephrine

The effects of Norepinephrine include: - increasing heart rate, blood pressure and body heat,  sweaty palms and butterflies in the stomach for someone you have the hots for. In brain, it is produced in pons, thus enhancing sensory inputs and memory. It is released directly into blood streams by the adrenal glands. High level of norepinephrine in the brain increases the experience of joy, excitement and reduces appetite. Dopamine also triggers the release of oxytocin, which is called the 'cuddle hormone'.

PEA plays a major role in the elevation of mental alertness and mood. It does so, by suppressing the inhibitory effects of GABA-B receptors.

Serotonin

It also enhances Serotonin release and its uplifting activity on mood, emotions, and control.

                

Sources of PEA

Phenyethylamine can be found naturally occurring as an

endogenous amine in various algae and bacteria. It is found in beans and eggs. It is also found in chocolate and wine (that’s why people often find them to be a romantic, euphoric treat). However its content is low in chocolates and wine. PEA can also be taken artificially which benefits in depression, weight loss and motor activity. Its side effects include nausea, constipation and mild headache.One can also get a non-romantic dose of PEA from performing intensive activities such as skydiving.

                                   

What happens to the initial high

The effect of Phenylethylamine fades within 12-14 months, called the ‘honeymoon period’ during which couples idealize their relationships and the feeling of "made for each other" comes, yet the dopamine is released due to long and strong romantic love. Also, the body releases attachment hormones, Endorphins, having the effect same as morphine.

Hence, these chemicals form the ‘Chemistry of love’ and make Love the best thing to get naturally 'high'.

References & Sources

1.http://www.naturodoc.com/library/antiaging/PEA_science.htm

2.https://clipartfest.com/download/b055cee697f83b6094c83d7cd61b65b0d77fb571.html

3.https://romancefromtheheart.com/articles/chemistryoflove.htm