Final workshop unit 2

By: Matias Arrieta and Simón Madrid

Date: 20/04/2024

Topic: Love
 1. How does the brain process love differently when it's romantic
versus familial or platonic?

A// The brain is a complex part of our body that involves many aspects that
the majority of the time, have to do with the behavior based on the different
kinds of activities that a normal person performs on their daily basis. When
we are talking about the brain process when a person sees another individual
in a romantic way, then the neurotransmitter “dopamine”, plays a vital role in
this process, as when someone is truly in love of someone, then the feelings of
happiness and euphoria come immediately, causing a complete state of
feeling good and comfortable. When you see a person in a romantic way,
then the oxytocin and vasopressin hormones will be liberated inside the brain
of the individual, contributing to a sensation of peace and bonding that can
be experienced also in other types of love. When we are talking about familial
love the brain makes a process related also with oxytocin, as this hormone
makes a big bond between the people that have familial love, such as siblings
among other examples. In the familial aspect, the prefrontal cortex of the
brain plays a vital role, as in a familial relationship or love, this cortex
provides protective instincts that are felt for family members. Finally, when
we are talking about platonic love, oftenly it is related with sexual attractions
but it is not considered a real love itself as the both ones mentioned before.
In platonic love there is also a reaction of the oxytocin as it creates a bond
with a certain individual, but not as strong as romantic or familial. Basically
the sexual hormones are the ones that act the most in these types of cases in
which it is only a love based on physical attraction but not related with the
inner feelings of a certain individual.
 2. Can self-love be cultivated, or is it primarily innate?

A// Self love is an aspect of every single human being that is something that
is not innate, as in the path of life every individual has to discover and learn
how to love what they are and what they represent in the society where they
belong to. Taking into account this, every single human being has the
capability of developing and cultivating a self-love based on their
experiences and how they are not looking at how others do things, only
focusing on themselves and learning that they are also important in the
world. The inner examination is a good aspect in order to love yourself as you
are, knowing your strengths, your weaknesses and talking with yourself about
who you are and what you are doing to accept yourself, because everyone in
this world is valuable and self-love is something that every human being
should have. When we have situations in which people is vulnerated and
bullied, then the ones that are wrong are the bullies, cause everyone should
be valued in this society, and for people that sometimes are more sensitive,
they should learn that they are good with how they are and they do not need
to change anything of themselves.
 3. What role do neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and
oxytocin play in the experience of love?

A// In first place dopamine plays a vital role in the experience of love, as it is
mainly responsible for giving pleasure and a sensation of reward and
motivation to a person that is feeling love for another individual, as it is
involved in the attraction and romance that can be generated in a certain
way, when a complete state of joy is felt . Then, when we are talking about
serotonin, this hormone is in charge of regulating certain aspects in the
organism related with the experience of feeling love. The aspects that
regulates are mainly the mood and the emotions which are directly related
with feeling love. Finally oxytocin is a hormone that fosters social bonding,
emotional connection, and trust. Released during intimate physical contact in
romantic relationships, it enhances closeness and affection between partners.
Additionally, oxytocin facilitates parental bonding and caregiving behaviors.
 4. How does the concept of self-love impact one's overall mental
health and well-being?

A// Embracing self-love has a profound impact on mental health and overall
well-being. It cultivates positive self-esteem, diminishing feelings of anxiety
and depression, while also bolstering resilience to better manage stress and
adversity. Healthy self-love fosters meaningful relationships through setting
boundaries and communicating needs, and prioritizing self-care activities
such as exercise and seeking support can enhance both physical and
emotional health. Furthermore, self-love helps individuals align with their
values and passions, nurturing a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Emotionally, it encourages self-awareness and regulation, diminishing
negative emotions and nurturing a positive mindset. In essence, nurturing
self-love leads to improved mental health and enhanced resilience.
 5. Are there distinct neurological patterns associated with falling in
love versus maintaining long-term relationships?

A// Different neurological patterns are linked to falling in love compared to

maintaining long-term relationships. When falling in love, there is increased
activity in brain regions related to reward, motivation, and romantic desire,
such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens. This
surge in dopamine creates feelings of euphoria and strong attraction, while
oxytocin and vasopressin encourage emotional connections. Conversely,
sustaining long-term relationships involves brain areas associated with
attachment and bonding, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and insula.
Continuous release of oxytocin and vasopressin fosters feelings of security
and trust. Over time, the intense dopamine-driven reward diminishes, but
attachment strengthens through shared experiences and support. Both
stages share similar neurotransmitters and hormones, yet the neurological
patterns demonstrate the changing dynamics of romantic relationships as
they progress from infatuation to long-term commitment
 6. How does the brain distinguish between feelings of infatuation and
genuine love?

A// The brain's response to infatuation versus genuine love involves different
neural activities and areas. Infatuation typically results in a decrease in the
activity of brain areas associated with mentalizing and theory of mind, such
as the prefrontal cortex, parieto-temporal junction, and temporal poles. These
areas are crucial for identifying and reasoning about others' emotions. The
deactivation of these areas during infatuation might explain the often noted
'blinding' effect of early love, where one might overlook flaws or fail to
recognize the distinct personality of the other. In contrast, genuine love
involves sustained activation of regions linked to reward and bonding, such
as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and caudate nucleus, which are rich in
dopamine pathways that promote feelings of pleasure and the reinforcement
of positive interactions over time.
 7. Can practices like mindfulness and meditation enhance one's
capacity for self-love, and if so, how?

A// Mindfulness and meditation practices can significantly enhance one's

capacity for self-love. These practices help by improving self-awareness and
emotional regulation. By fostering a greater awareness of one's thoughts and
feelings, individuals can develop a deeper understanding and acceptance of
themselves, which is a core component of self-love. Additionally, mindfulness
enhances the ability to manage stress and reduce negative emotions,
contributing to a more compassionate and forgiving attitude towards oneself.
 8. What psychological factors contribute to the development of
self-love, and how do they interact with brain function?

A// Self-love is influenced by various psychological factors including

self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem. These elements
interact with brain function by influencing neural pathways associated with
self-regulation and emotional processing. For instance, high self-esteem and
emotional intelligence can enhance the neural circuits that regulate emotions
and decision-making processes, leading to more adaptive behaviors and a
healthier self-relationship.

9. Are there genetic predispositions that influence an individual's

capacity for experiencing and expressing love, both for others and
for oneself?

A// Genetic Predispositions to Love Research suggests that there may be

genetic components that influence an individual's capacity to experience and
express love. Certain genes associated with neurotransmitter systems such as
serotonin and oxytocin may affect how people form attachments and
respond emotionally to others. These genetic predispositions, however,
interact with environmental factors, meaning that the capacity for love is
shaped by a combination of innate tendencies and life experiences.
 10. How do societal norms and cultural influences shape our
perceptions of love, and how does this influence our brain's
response to love-related stimuli?

A// Societal norms and cultural backgrounds play a significant role in

shaping our perceptions of love and how our brains respond to love-related
stimuli. Cultural narratives and societal expectations can influence the way
love is experienced and expressed. For example, in some cultures, love might
be closely tied to familial and social obligations, while in others, romantic love
may be idealized. These cultural influences can affect the neural processing
of emotional and social information, altering our emotional responses and
the way we experience connections with others. The brain's distinction
between infatuation and love, the enhancement of self-love through
mindfulness, the psychological underpinnings of self-love, genetic factors in
love, and the impact of societal norms on love perceptions all interplay to
form a complex web of emotional and cognitive processes that define human
relationships and individual self-concept.