Abstract

Introduction: Sexual response cycle is modulated by a variety of biological factors, especially antidepressants and antipsychotics. Although the circuit of romantic love has recently been delineated, the biological impact on romantic love is barely mentioned in human, however. Methods: In thus study, a comprehensive literature review was completed to elucidate the role of central monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, melatonin and histamine, for the romantic love and relationship in human. Results: The central circuit of romantic love includes the mesolimbic and mesocortical tract and their extensions widely distributed in cortical, subcortical and brainstem structures. The activation of brain foci progressively decreases along with the romantic relationship in many areas, including the bilateral caudate and ventral tegmentum area without change of passionate love. Hyperactivity of dopamine and serotonin is suggested at the synaptic level for romantic love in lovers, probably through an inhibition of transporters or increase of terminal release. Romantic love can be modulated by antidepressants or recreational drugs. Polymorphism of dopamine and serotonin receptor relates to the romantic relationship. The effect of other monoamines is barely mentioned. Conclusions: Romantic love is vulnerable for secondary effect, such as drugs which modulate the dopamine and serotonin, in human. Romantic relationship is also impacted by the polymorphism of monoamine receptors. Therefore, the biological effect is not limited to sexual response cycle but also the romantic love and relationship. Further investigation is warranted for understanding the secondary effect in romantic love for romantic dissolution or divorce.

Highlights

  • Sexual response cycle is modulated by a variety of biological factors, especially antidepressants and antipsychotics

  • The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of monoamines on romantic love and relationship

  • The main interests were to find out the relationship between central monoamines and romantic love and romantic relationship in human

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Summary

Introduction

Sexual response cycle is modulated by a variety of biological factors, especially antidepressants and antipsychotics. Methods: In study, a comprehensive literature review was completed to elucidate the role of central monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, melatonin and histamine, for the romantic love and relationship in human. Conclusions: Romantic love is vulnerable for secondary effect, such as drugs which modulate the dopamine and serotonin, in human. The biological effect is not limited to sexual response cycle and the romantic love and relationship. Functional technology successfully reveals the neural circuit of romantic love which encompasses multiple brain foci widely distributed in brainstem, limbic system and neocortex in a few studies [6]. Romantic love is expected to be affected when these neural substrates are involved Secondary effect, such as drug, diet or other exogenous source, is barely mentioned for any impact for romantic love

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