It is obvious that both men & women experience positive reactions in forming relationships; however, the opposite can occur when these relationships dissolve.
When a woman & a man fall in love, their brain circuits are under major reconstruction. The sex hormones released cause the individual’s brain cells to grow and sprout extensions, that would take several years to form structurally sound connections. According to Dr. Louann Brizendine’s, The Female Brain, the male & female brain of a romantically involved couple produces the most irrational behaviors & promotes illogical thinking (Brizendine, 66). The brain of an individual in love is in a state that is comparable to that of a drug addict. (Brizendine, 66) Turns out Kesha's hit song, Your love is my drug, is more than just a catchy jingle. The withdrawal effect resulting from a breakup is comparable to that of a drug abuser's withdrawal symptoms. In fact, when a relationship dissolves, the individuals can experience physical pain equivalent to those accompany a sobering addict (Brizendine, 75). Statistics show that men are more likely to commit suicide after a breakup, while women are more likely to fall into depression. One explanation is that women may have a larger social network to fall back on after a relationship goes sour. In contrast, the male may not allow himself to open up to many people; hence, he may have more difficulty recovering from the breakup than his former partner.
The main point is that the withdrawal effect that occurs after a breakup can cause physical pain. Recent brain-imaging studies have shown that social rejection triggers the same circuits of the brain that physical pain does (Brizendine, 75). This can explain some of the irrational behaviors observed in both women and men during and after an intimate relationship.
The verdict is still out on love: The purpose of love has perplexed scientists & laymen alike. However, the biological explanation for relationships & love is simple; it is nature’s way of preserving the human race (Brizendine, 87). When a female sees a man that she is most likely to reproduce with, her brain releases chemicals that alert her of this attraction for the male & vice versa in the male's brain. Dr. Brizendine states, “Mother nature uses everything at her disposal to make sure couples get together and make babies… The sexual desires trigger for both genders is androgen testosterone” (Brizendine, 89). Whatever you choose to believe one thing is for certain, love has inspired men & women alike to produce masterful works of art, writings, novels, movies, & more. Therefore in conclusion, I'll leave you with Henery David Thoreau's famous quote, "The only remedy for love, is to love more..."
