Prayagraj: What strengthens the bond of love between two unrelated inviduals is a subject that has fascinated scientists, because it often defies most principles of science.
Evolutionary biologist of the Biochemistry department at Allahabad University, Prof S I Rizvi, who has explored the subject of ‘romantic love’ spoke to TOI and threw some light on the topic.“Celebration of Valentine’s day is best explained not as much by any historical event as by the fact that ‘romantic love’ is perhaps the most beautiful humans experience and unlike some animals whose instinct of love is confined to affection, romantic love is unique to humans.”
He added that romantic love probably owed its origin to the fact that evolution of humans as an intelligent organism was mainly enhanced by increase in brain size. “Larger brain size made childbirth difficult and therefore early humans gave birth to premature babies. The human newborn child is unique among all animals because it requires several years of parental care and protection,” said Rizvi.
“It was as a result of premature newborn children that romantic love turned into a strong force of attraction. When two people lived in association, there were better chances for the newborn to survive, they realised,” said Rizvi. Such association existed for tens of thousands of years before societal norms created an association in which the bond of romantic love took the shape of marriage, he added.
Scientists have dissected biology of the brain to decipher what causes pleasure when the mythical Cupid strikes. Several chemicals in the human brain are known to play pivotal roles in making this feeling of love so romantic. The feel-good chemical dopamine, along with two other hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, secreted from the brain exhilirate the mind when human experiences love.
The fact that the intoxicating emotion of love has been linked to the rise and fall of empires and remains the most beautiful of human desires. “It is but natural that modern humans have created ingenious ways to celebrate this emotion, including the concept of Valentine’s day,” said Rizvi.
Evolutionary biologist of the Biochemistry department at Allahabad University, Prof S I Rizvi, who has explored the subject of ‘romantic love’ spoke to TOI and threw some light on the topic.“Celebration of Valentine’s day is best explained not as much by any historical event as by the fact that ‘romantic love’ is perhaps the most beautiful humans experience and unlike some animals whose instinct of love is confined to affection, romantic love is unique to humans.”
He added that romantic love probably owed its origin to the fact that evolution of humans as an intelligent organism was mainly enhanced by increase in brain size. “Larger brain size made childbirth difficult and therefore early humans gave birth to premature babies. The human newborn child is unique among all animals because it requires several years of parental care and protection,” said Rizvi.
“It was as a result of premature newborn children that romantic love turned into a strong force of attraction. When two people lived in association, there were better chances for the newborn to survive, they realised,” said Rizvi. Such association existed for tens of thousands of years before societal norms created an association in which the bond of romantic love took the shape of marriage, he added.
Scientists have dissected biology of the brain to decipher what causes pleasure when the mythical Cupid strikes. Several chemicals in the human brain are known to play pivotal roles in making this feeling of love so romantic. The feel-good chemical dopamine, along with two other hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, secreted from the brain exhilirate the mind when human experiences love.
The fact that the intoxicating emotion of love has been linked to the rise and fall of empires and remains the most beautiful of human desires. “It is but natural that modern humans have created ingenious ways to celebrate this emotion, including the concept of Valentine’s day,” said Rizvi.