In my opinion, the idea of "love at first sight" is illogical. It seems impossible to genuinely love someone without even being familiar with their identity. If you are someone who holds onto the hope of experiencing it, I would like to bring some scientific evidence to disprove it.
1. Attraction is a predetermined bias
TIME's The Science of Marriage suggests that every person you encounter leaves a subconscious mark on you. Over time, this assists in your evaluation of whether an individual is favorable or unfavorable by simply observing them. To facilitate this process quickly, your brain assembles intricate patterns and cues to determine who to pursue and who to evade, all of which occur in just a few seconds, even without conscious awareness. In light of this, "love at first sight" should be rightfully called "bias at first sight."
2. Testosterone and estrogen are good tricksters
When your brain perceives a potential mate, it triggers the release of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, which can disrupt your rational thinking. Testosterone compels you towards sexual activity, whereas estrogen primarily prompts ovulation. Therefore, your initial bias can swiftly transform into a primal urge for reproduction.
3. So is dopamine, which is produced during sex
Dopamine is responsible for the euphoric state that follows sexual intercourse, as well as fostering affection and intimacy towards a partner. In addition, it sets off a sequence of intricate reactions that trigger a desire for repeat sexual encounters. The more you engage in sexual activity with the same partner, the stronger your bond and attachment become.
4. Serotonin makes you obsessed with your S.O
In the initial stages of falling in love, a hormone-driven preoccupation sets in that obstructs any thoughts of anyone other than your significant other. This hormonal reaction compels you to desire sleep, food, and all aspects of life involving the other person, making it arduous to part ways.
5. Phenylethylamine, or PEA, makes your partner seem better than they are
PEA is a multifaceted compound that acts as a mood enhancer and produces a range of positive effects. When you're falling in love, PEA is responsible for amplifying your senses, making everything look, smell, feel, and taste better. Furthermore, it stimulates the production of dopamine and serotonin, leading to a complex hormonal cycle. Additionally, PEA is one of the primary reasons that you may overlook your partner's flaws in the early stages of a relationship. It's not because those flaws don't exist, but rather because PEA induces enough hormonal activity in your brain to mimic the effects of cocaine.
6. Humans like rewards
When falling in love or succumbing to your bias, the abundance of euphoria-inducing hormones coursing through your bloodstream is sufficient to motivate you to seek out more interactions. Pursuing more encounters leads to a surge in hormone production, signaling to your brain that favorable outcomes occur when you're with that person, thereby fueling the initial infatuation.
7. Oh wait, don't forget that oxytocin makes you more attached
Another potent hormone that contributes to the attachment to your sexual partner is oxytocin. It plays a crucial part in the initial surge of sexual activity that often occurs in the early stages of relationships. The more intimate encounters you have, the more profound your bond becomes. All kidding aside, oxytocin is a critical hormone that plays a pivotal role in the process of falling in love.
8. This cycle takes time to build
Undoubtedly, falling in love is a complex interplay of hormones that are all intricately connected, and the process remains largely mysterious. However, it's impossible for anyone to go through the entire cycle of falling in love with someone they don't even know (or shortly after meeting them). It's only after months of getting to know them that you might realize you've fallen in love, and by that point, your brain is so convinced that you knew they were the one for you right from the start.
9. Love is scientifically proven to go beyond appearances
If this comprehensive list isn't enough to persuade you that love is much more intricate than just a chance encounter, then it's unclear what will. Even "love at first sight" isn't solely determined by your brain's preconceived predisposition towards familiarity. It's also influenced by various factors, such as body language, vocal tone, and word choice.
10. "Love at first sight" is just lust
Scientifically speaking, lust is typically defined as the desire to engage in sexual activity with someone without any emotional attachment. This is precisely what occurs when you see someone and experience a feeling of "love" at first sight; your brain releases hormones associated with sexual attraction and then convinces you that you're emotionally attached to that person. However, this feeling is far from genuine love.
