Q: Is there a biological explanation
for romantic love? 
A: Romantic love is an intense attraction that involves the idealization of another person in an erotic context with the expectation of an ongoing relationship. Romantic love is distinguished from pure lust, on the one hand, and from less intense companionship love, on the other. When we fall in love, the brain increases production of phenylethylamine and dopamine, producing feelings of euphoria and elation. Over time (days, weeks or even years) levels of these chemicals decrease; in successful long-term relationships, the passion of romantic love is gradually replaced by the comfort of companionship love. Romantic love thus may have evolved to facilitate pair bonding in our early evolutionary history. Such pair bonding would have provided a clear adaptive advantage in caring for children, as human children have an unparalleled period of helplessness and dependency on their parents.
Source: Edward F. Fischer
Edward F. Fischer
-- Adrienne Spain
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