Millions upon millions of people around the world get married every year. In fact, over 2 million people got married in 2018 in the United States alone. And though there are various reasons for marriage, depending on your circumstances and location in the world, the primary reason is love.

If we assume that at least the majority of those 2 million people married for love, we can also assume that millions more fall in love every year. There are a variety of factors that influence this occurrence, and knowing a few facts about falling in love can help us better understand them.

If you’re interested in learning more about what it means to fall in love, as well as a few love facts you might not have known, just keep reading!

1. Many Species Mate for Life

Although humans are the only species with courthouses, churches, and marriage documents, we’re not the only ones who mate for life. Many other species in the animal kingdom are incredibly loyal to their chosen partner.

Animals such as wolves, vultures, swans, eagles, elephants, horses, lions, and puffins all chose a partner and stick with them throughout their entire lifetime. And that’s just a few! There are many more species in the animal kingdom that only have eyes for one.

2. Falling in Love Is Addicting

We’re all in love with love. And this is, in part, because falling in love is quite literally addicting. The chemicals released in your brain when you fall in love have an effect similar to using cocaine.

The primary chemical responsible for feelings of love and attraction is called dopamine and is what gives you that rush of euphoria and pleasure that we all associate with those we love most. Love is such a powerful feeling, in fact, that it stimulates 12 areas of the brain all at once.

3. Love Is Truly Blind

We’ve all heard the phrase “love is blind,” but believe it or not, there is some real science behind the common statement. When you start seeing someone new, they’re absolutely perfect in your eyes. No matter how anyone else feels about them, they can do no wrong.

This is the “love is blind” effect, otherwise known as the pre-attachment stage of a relationship. We have to see our partner as perfect in order to move on to the attachment stage. And from an evolutionary standpoint, this attachment is necessary to stay with someone long enough to have and raise children.

4. Parents Play a Role

As odd as it might sound, our parents play a role in who we choose as our partner. And when you think about it, it’s not odd at all.

As children, we find comfort in the look and smell of our parents, so it’s only natural that we would seek that same comfort later in life. Your sense of smell is powerful. It only makes sense that the smell of your father’s cologne or your mother’s perfume would bring feelings of calm and safety.

5. Cuddling is a Natural Painkiller

We’ve already talked about dopamine, the happiness chemical, now let’s talk about oxytocin. This one is slightly different but just as powerful. Oxytocin is the love hormone involved in the bonding process and is produced during an embrace.

A dose of dopamine has been found to have some interesting effects on the body, besides creating feelings of love. It can resolve physical ailments, such as headaches and other pain, in a matter of hours.

Cuddling is the most effective, but love is so strong that you don’t need physical contact to reap a portion of the benefits. Seeing a picture of your loved one or Rose Kennedy quotes that remind you of them is enough to spark feelings of relief.

6. Opposites Attract

Similar to the “love is blind” saying, opposites attract has some scientific truth behind it as well. If you’re too similar to your partner, your relationship probably won’t last. Now, the opposite is also true. If you and your partner have too many differences, your relationship is doomed.

The key is to find someone with whom you have a foundation of similarities, but you’re different enough to better and learn from each other.

7. Heartbreak Can Cause Physical Ailments

Though it’s true that heartbreak is a strong emotional and mental reaction, it can also cause physical pains in your heart and other parts of your body. True heartbreak, such as that from a divorce or loss of a loved one, is a traumatizing event and can trigger what’s known as Broken Heart Syndrome.

This is when your emotional distress is so intense that it signals your brain to release chemicals that physically weaken your heart. Broken Heart Syndrome causes chest pains and shortness of breath, and can even make you think you’re having a heart attack.

8. Love Boosts Creativity and Mental Sharpness

Next time you’re having a creative block, consider having sex with your partner. It might sound strange, but reminders of love and intimacy boost your abstract and creative thinking abilities.

This is because love, in a long-term relationship sense, it’s abstract in itself. Commitment, intimacy, and devotion can’t be seen, they must be felt.

Sex, on the other hand, increases concrete thinking abilities, making it easier to focus on the task at hand.

Use These Facts About Falling in Love to Better Understand Your Feelings

Emotions and feelings are complex and sometimes difficult to understand, and love is one of the most complicated of them all. But with these facts about falling in love, you can better how you or someone else is feeling when experiencing this emotion.

Interested in learning more about relationships of all kinds? Take a look at our blog!