Clipping Board » New Knowledge and the Unknown of Life ─ Life will always bring you surprises and wonders.
Jan 26 Sat 2008 21:28
【Yan Jiyu / TIME Magazine Special Report】
The human reproductive process differs significantly from that of other organisms due to the presence of love. Mysterious and unpredictable, love is far more than just a prelude to reproduction—it can drive people to madness. Why? Beyond writers and artists, scientists are also eager to uncover the answer. With advancements in biological sciences, particularly neuroscience, science is gradually unraveling the mysteries of how love operates.
The latest issue of *TIME* magazine features a special report on what love truly is. The report highlights that, from the perspective of biological evolution, humans must carefully select partners before mating, seeking the highest quality genes and reproductive capabilities. Sensory experiences provide indispensable clues in this process.
**The Significance of Sensory Experiences**
Take the sense of smell, for example. Beyond pleasant and unpleasant odors, there is an intangible effect: synchronizing the menstrual cycles of women living together. In early human societies, this was clearly a strategic adaptation. If women within a group could synchronize their fertile periods, it would encourage competition among males, allowing the most superior to secure mating rights.
Men also exhibit subtle olfactory responses to women. One study revealed that strippers in their ovulation period earn an average of $70 per hour in tips, while those menstruating earn only $35. Many women also report that their partners become particularly tender and attentive—and more prone to jealousy—when they are ovulating. Scientists attribute this phenomenon to olfactory cues.
The role of visual experiences is equally significant. Men are drawn to women with full breasts and wide hips, as these traits signify fertility and nurturing ability. Women, on the other hand, prefer men with broad shoulders and chests, ensuring a sense of security and the ability to provide food. While dense body hair may not be as appealing to men today, it was once a sign of abundant testosterone. Similarly, a deep, resonant voice in men tends to attract women.
**The Intriguing Workings of the Brain**
However, humans, having evolved beyond primitive lifestyles, do not rely solely on sensory experiences to choose partners. The ritual of "dating" holds unparalleled importance, allowing the cultivation of romantic feelings. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have identified three brain regions closely linked to romantic love.
The first is the ventral tegmental area, the brain's primary dopamine pathway and part of the pleasure or reward system. This region becomes highly active in those deeply in love, producing feelings of longing, desire, and euphoria. The nucleus accumbens regulates the secretion of oxytocin, fostering lasting affection between partners. The caudate nucleus governs patterned behaviors, enabling fleeting passion to develop into enduring love.
For many, love is the essence of life. To scientists, it is a vast and fascinating realm worthy of thorough exploration.
What is Love? Neuroscience Reveals the Secrets
【Yan Jiyu / TIME Magazine Special Report】
The human reproductive process differs significantly from that of other organisms due to the presence of love. Mysterious and unpredictable, love is far more than just a prelude to reproduction—it can drive people to madness. Why? Beyond writers and artists, scientists are also eager to uncover the answer. With advancements in biological sciences, particularly neuroscience, science is gradually unraveling the mysteries of how love operates.
The latest issue of *TIME* magazine features a special report on what love truly is. The report highlights that, from the perspective of biological evolution, humans must carefully select partners before mating, seeking the highest quality genes and reproductive capabilities. Sensory experiences provide indispensable clues in this process.
**The Significance of Sensory Experiences**
Take the sense of smell, for example. Beyond pleasant and unpleasant odors, there is an intangible effect: synchronizing the menstrual cycles of women living together. In early human societies, this was clearly a strategic adaptation. If women within a group could synchronize their fertile periods, it would encourage competition among males, allowing the most superior to secure mating rights.
Men also exhibit subtle olfactory responses to women. One study revealed that strippers in their ovulation period earn an average of $70 per hour in tips, while those menstruating earn only $35. Many women also report that their partners become particularly tender and attentive—and more prone to jealousy—when they are ovulating. Scientists attribute this phenomenon to olfactory cues.
The role of visual experiences is equally significant. Men are drawn to women with full breasts and wide hips, as these traits signify fertility and nurturing ability. Women, on the other hand, prefer men with broad shoulders and chests, ensuring a sense of security and the ability to provide food. While dense body hair may not be as appealing to men today, it was once a sign of abundant testosterone. Similarly, a deep, resonant voice in men tends to attract women.
**The Intriguing Workings of the Brain**
However, humans, having evolved beyond primitive lifestyles, do not rely solely on sensory experiences to choose partners. The ritual of "dating" holds unparalleled importance, allowing the cultivation of romantic feelings. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have identified three brain regions closely linked to romantic love.
The first is the ventral tegmental area, the brain's primary dopamine pathway and part of the pleasure or reward system. This region becomes highly active in those deeply in love, producing feelings of longing, desire, and euphoria. The nucleus accumbens regulates the secretion of oxytocin, fostering lasting affection between partners. The caudate nucleus governs patterned behaviors, enabling fleeting passion to develop into enduring love.
For many, love is the essence of life. To scientists, it is a vast and fascinating realm worthy of thorough exploration.