Welcome to the Love episode, part of Science Savvy with Carmen. In this episode, I explore the biology behind one of humanity’s most powerful emotions. With my background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, I break down the science behind love and unpack how it shows up in your daily life.
This episode covers the three stages of love known as lust, attraction, and attachment. Together with my friend Alejandra, we explore how hormones like oxytocin, vasopressin, dopamine, and cortisol shape our connections and influence everything from butterflies to heartbreak. We also look at the brain’s response to emotional bonding and the evolutionary reasons behind long-term partnerships. Whether you're curious about how love works, why it hurts when it ends, or how biology fuels connection, this episode offers clear and engaging insights grounded in real research.
Science Savvy helps you understand the systems shaping your thoughts, health, and behavior. If you're ready to explore your body and brain with a little more clarity, you're in the right place.
Further reading and references:
Sharma, S. R., Gonda, X., Dome, P., & Tarazi, F. I. (2020). What's love got to do with it: Role of oxytocin in trauma, attachment, and resilience. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 214, 107602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107602 Fisher, H., Aron, A., & Brown, L. L. (2005). Romantic love: An fMRI study of a neural mechanism for mate choice. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 493(1), 58-62. https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.20772 Stein, D. J., & Vythilingum, B. (2009). Love and attachment: The psychobiology of social bonding. CNS Spectrums, 14(5), 239-242. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1092852900025384 Acevedo, B. P., Poulin, M. J., Collins, N. L., & Brown, L. L. (2020). After the honeymoon: Neural and genetic correlates of romantic love in newlywed marriages. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 634. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00634
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