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The brain regions associated with love overlap with those for addiction from "summary" of Anatomy of Love by Helen E. Fisher
Love has a powerful influence on the human brain, activating various regions that are also involved in the experience of addiction. When individuals fall in love, the brain releases a flood of chemicals such as dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin. These neurotransmitters are responsible for creating feelings of pleasure, bonding, and attachment. The brain regions associated with romantic love are closely linked to those involved in the addiction process. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a key region that becomes highly active during the early stages of romantic love. This area is also part of the brain's reward system, which plays a crucial role in addiction. The release of dopamine in the VTA is a common feature of both love and addiction, reinforcing the desire to seek out and maintain the pleasurable experience. Another brain region that is activated during love and addiction is the nucleus accumbens. This area is responsible for processing rewards and is involved in the reinforcing effects of addictive substances. When individuals are in love, the nucleus accumbens lights up, driving them to pursue and crave the presence of their romantic partner. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control, also plays a role in both love and addiction. In individuals experiencing intense romantic love, the prefrontal cortex shows decreased activity, similar to what is observed in individuals with addiction. This decreased activity may contribute to the obsessive thoughts and behaviors associated with love. The overlapping brain regions involved in love and addiction shed light on the intensity and consuming nature of romantic relationships. The similarities in neural pathways suggest that love can be a powerful motivator, driving individuals to seek out and maintain emotional connections in a way that mirrors addictive behaviors. This understanding of the neural basis of love can help explain why people sometimes act irrationally or obsessively in the pursuit of romantic relationships.
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