Is love only a biochemical reaction for aspies?

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According to recent scientific research, falling in love is akin to OCD and apparently involves some of the same neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, etc.) Most NTs would never agree with this ascertion and will claim that love is more meaningful than a bunch of biochemicals. Since aspies are wired differently, do they experience love as a neurochemical reaction or as something else?

True love is a spiritual connection. I don't think it has anything to do with the brain directly.

BUT, now that you say that, it might explain why aspies/OCDs get obsessive over people.

Whenever I've been in a relationship, it's always been like in a soul way but it seems I just get TOO attached.

Scenario 1:

Boy: "I love you!"
Girl: "Some chemicals are running round my brain making me feel what I'm told is supposed to be love towards you."

Scenario 2:

Boy: "I love you!"
Girl: "I love you too!"


It's unclear from the question what your definition of "experiencing love" is. Are you asking whether we operate under scenario 1 and NTs under scenario 2, or are you asking whether the sensation of love for NTs is caused by chemicals in the brain, whereas for an aspie it is caused by something else? If you mean the latter, then obviously NTs and Aspies experience love in the same way. If it's a brain chemical for NTs so it will be with Aspies too.

Even if it is just biochemistry, it's very meaningful biochemistry. I wouldn't say that happiness is biochemistry, and therefore meaningless. It's like saying the sun is meaningless because it's just a bunch of hydrogen and helium.

I have read a little bit of the (dumbed-down version of the) research you mention and found it very interesting. I've read, for example, that obsessions can be associated with similar neurochemicals as love, which I found to be particularly interesting to consider (are we sometimes literally in love with our special interests? It can certainly feel that way). I have also read that, because of their effects on these chemicals, SSRIs reduce people's ability to fall in love, make people less fixated on their new love interest when they do, and have even been associated with people falling out of love (just to fall back in love with the same partner when the SSRIs have been removed from the person's system).

Love is a biochemical reaction. That doesn't, however, have to mean that it is worthless or meaningless.

Sure, "love" is chemistry. Everything - every thought, every feeling - is structure and chemistry. That's how brains and bodies work. Neurotransmitters, ions, brain structure make us think and feel.

But that doesn't mean "love" happens because of chemistry. You don't fall in love with everyone and everything you see, so it's not just a reaction that happens constantly in the brain. You don't fall in love randomly when looking at men, women, dustbins, bags of pretzels, so it's not just a reaction that happens randomly in the brain.

What triggers that reaction - that's what translates this chemistry into something psychologically/emotionally meaningful.

Absolutely. Just a conglomeration of chemical reactions which at times change the neurological profile and alter your perception of reality for the time being.

Well, at least someone understands my reasoning. With such an understanding of what love it, don't you believe that it is taken waaayyy to seriously? I mean, it is obviously a powerful experience, but when you know the mechanics behind it, does it not loose some of it's magic?

i find it to be pretty profound despite knowing what it is to some degree. It is the fact that very few people elicit such a feeling for me. i agree that it is a bit exaggerated though.

+1

I have bad OCD issues & when I was in love years ago; I was completely obsessed with the girl. I also started having lots of mood swings & major emotional problems & I ended up having a mental breakdown after the relationship ended. I have a certain crush now that I'm very obsessed with & when I start heavily fantasizing about her; I feel like I'm high. Love is kinda like weed to a pot-head with me. I think there's a lot more to it than simply being a chemical reaction thou. The reaction happened for a rezone because their are things about the people that I really liked/loved. This love weed does not happen with people I suddenly meet or people who I have a lower opinion of; it gradually happens over time

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR_qa3Ohwls[/youtube]

Last edited by nick007 on 06 Dec 2010, 11:41 am, edited 1 time in total.

No. Knowing how magic works doesn't stop it from being operative and effective any more so than understanding why the night is dark makes it any easier to see in it.

If you want to lessen the personal meaning and effect that love has on yourself then that's fine and much more easily achieved than trying to convince others that is has none. All you have to do is turn your attention to other matters. I am guessing at your motives. I think it's quite common for AS types to not want to be at the mercy of this (sometimes) powerful and frightening and destabilizing force we sometimes call 'love'.

All love is a chemical reaction. This reaction just makes people feel really high (literally, the chemicals give you a natural high), which leads them to believe all sorts of crap. That's why people in love say they're gonna be together forever and all that bulls**t.

Ding! Ding! You win a cupie doll!

It's a strategy by nature to create a strong pair bond between mates. Human children are more viable with a pair of pairents to tend to their needs, rather than just one. Without a social system like those that exist in modern western societies to support them, a woman with child without a male bonded to her is at a serious disadvantage.

The OP should make it clear whether Aspie affection is fake or sincere!