Love isn't just about the heart. In our brain, each type of love activates specific areas. But which one stimulates our brain activity the most? A recent study conducted in Finland gives us the answers.
Illustrative image Pexels
Researchers from Aalto University (Finland) meticulously analyzed the brain activity of 55 adults using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). These participants, aged between 28 and 53, most of them in a relationship and with children, were exposed to carefully crafted sentences meant to evoke feelings of affection. These sentences referred to close ones, such as a partner or child, but also to neighbors, pets, or elements of nature.
Each participant was not only asked to listen to these sentences but also to focus on the emotion felt, allowing the scientists to observe the brain activity associated with different forms of attachment. This precise protocol aimed to distinguish activation patterns specific to each type of love, based on individual emotional responses.
The method revealed that forms of love between people activate the same areas of the brain. However, the intensities vary depending on the relationships. Parental love appeared particularly powerful in regions associated with motivation, such as the striatum. Love for nature and animals, on the other hand, elicited a different response, except for pet owners, whose brain showed a pattern close to that of human relationships.
The brain areas activated included several regions associated with the reward system, like the orbitofrontal cortex and the cingulate gyrus, known for their roles in processing emotions and regulating social behaviors.
A particularly striking finding is that this activation is not limited to the mere listening of the sentences. In fact, it persists afterward, as participants continue to reflect on the feelings evoked. This prolongation of brain activity underscores the importance and depth of the emotions felt, confirming that these attachment feelings have a lasting influence on neuronal processes. It also demonstrates that the intensity of love activates these regions beyond a mere momentary stimulation.
This study opens new avenues in understanding human attachment. It demonstrates how cultural and biological factors influence our feelings, particularly love for animals and nature. Lastly, these discoveries could inspire advancements in the treatment of attachment disorders. The brain continues to reveal its mysteries regarding love.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND