Helen Fisher is a very famous anthropologist from Rutgers Univeristy who loves to give talks on the science of romance. She has carried out a number of brain scans of people who are newly in love and during the scans, she found that the ventral tegmental areas of the brain are working particularly hard. This area near the base of the brain appears to be running like a little factory, sending dopamine to higher regions in the brain. This creates craving, motivation, goal-oriented behaviour, and an acute feeling of ecstasy.
The ventral tegmental area, however, doesn't work alone. The nucleus accumbens, located slightly higher and farther forward in the brain, converts the exhilaration of a new partner into something akin to an obsession. "Thrill signals that start in the lower brain are processed in the nucleus accumbens via not just dopamine but also serotonin and, importantly, oxytocin, which is one of the chemicals that floods new mothers and creates such a fierce sense of connection to their babies." (1) (In men who become parents, the 'bonding-to-baby chemical" is vasopressin.) When oxytocin is at play between new lovers, it can create an equally strong connection between them.
And, finally, we have the caudate nuclei, a pair of shrimp-size structures on either side of the head which have a seemingly indelible memory. They are the last major stop for love signals in the brain, but are also involved in storing patterns and mundane abilities such as knowing how to ride a bicycle or knowing how to swim - motor skills which tend to stay with us for life (provided no damage occurs to these nuclei.) Apply the same principle to connecting and patterning in love and one can see how passion can turn so quickly into commitment.
Having one part of the brain "involved in processing love would be enough to make the feeling powerful. The fact that three are at work makes that powerful feeling downright consuming." (2) Perhaps we are fooling ourselves to think that we, in fact, have any choice (or free will) in the matter when it comes to who we fall in love with.
D.
(1) and (2), "The Science of Romance", Jeffrey Kluger, Time magazine special edition, "Your Brain: A User's Guide", p. 37.
About Me
- Deborah K. Hanula
- Deborah K. Hanula has a year of Journalism training from Humber College, a Political Science degree from the University of Waterloo, and a Law degree from the University of British Columbia. In addition, she has Diplomas in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Child Psychology, and Psychotherapy and Counselling as well as a Family Life Educator and Coach Certificate and Certificates in Reflexology, Assertiveness Training, and Mindfulness Meditation. She is the author of five cookbooks, primarily concerned with gluten-free and dairy-free diets, although one pertains to chocolate. As an adult, in the past she worked primarily as a lawyer, but also as a university and college lecturer, a tutor, editor, writer, counsellor, researcher and piano teacher. She enjoys a multi-faceted approach when it comes to life, work and study, in order to keep things fresh and interesting. Check out her new book: A Murder of Crows & Other Poems (2023).
Monday, November 21, 2011
Endocannabinoid System and THC Mimics
The endocannabinoid system is an elaborate network of receptors and proteins that operate within the brain, heart, gut, liver, and throughout the central nervous system. The system plays a powerful role in regulating cravings, mood, pain and memory. When bound by cannabinoids, they boost appetite and mood. (1) THC which is acronym for the active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, binds to these receptors.
Three THC knock-offs are gaining popularity on the black market and are commonly found in illicit products marketed as "Spice". The first mimic is HU-210. It has a similar chemical composition to THC, but is 100 times more powerful. The second mimic is JWH-073. It is one of the easiest to produce. CP 47,497 is the third. It is highly potent and its long-lasting psychological effects make it highly addictive. (2)
D.
(1) and (2), "Tracking the Craving Killer", Discover (November 2011), pp. 12 - 13.
Three THC knock-offs are gaining popularity on the black market and are commonly found in illicit products marketed as "Spice". The first mimic is HU-210. It has a similar chemical composition to THC, but is 100 times more powerful. The second mimic is JWH-073. It is one of the easiest to produce. CP 47,497 is the third. It is highly potent and its long-lasting psychological effects make it highly addictive. (2)
D.
(1) and (2), "Tracking the Craving Killer", Discover (November 2011), pp. 12 - 13.
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