Love and Happiness: The Science of Relationships

On this week's episode of the pod, we tackle the science and chemistry of love.

We start out with a discussion of the social determinants of health including how relationships and social connectedness have a profound impact on our health and longevity.
We discuss some recent studies of the impact of social ties (as well as a lack thereof) on health outcomes including depression, cardiovascular health, wound-healing, and immunity. While we focus on the impact of marriage and long-term partnership, we also discuss the impact of non-romantic relationships and friendships. We then discuss the different categories of romantic love, with a particular emphasis on the neurotransmitter chemicals involved in these physiological and psychological responses. You don't want to miss this one!

PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals.  Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual.  As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional.  If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional. 

Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance.

RESOURCES

• Harvard Health: The Health Benefits of Strong Relationships

• Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy

• Do Social Ties Affect Our Health? Exploring the Biology of Relationships

• Social Relationships and Depression: Ten-Year Follow-Up from a Nationally Representative Study

• Sexuality in Later Life

• What Is The Link Between Love and Oxytocin?

• Oxytocin During The Initial Stages of Romantic Attachment: Relations to Couples’ Interactive Reciprocity

• Testosterone — What It Does And Doesn't Do

• Dopamine

• Comprehensive Physiology

• Peripheral and Central Effects of Circulating Catecholamines

• Dopamine and Sexual Function

• Phenylethylamine Modulation of Affect: Therapeutic and Diagnostic Implications

• Phenylethylamine, a Possible Link to the Antidepressant Effects of Exercise?

• How Does Dopamine Affect the Body?

• β-phenylethylamine, a Small Molecule With a Large Impact

• Brain Basics: Know Your Brain

• Lust, Attraction, and Attachment In Mammalian Reproduction

• Love, Actually: The Science Behind Lust, Attraction, and Companionship

• Oxytocin Enhances the Experience of Attachment Security

• Oxytocin Modulates the Link Between Adult Attachment and Cooperation Through Reduced Betrayal Aversion

• Plasma Oxytocin Increases in the Human Sexual Response

• The Oxytocin–Vasopressin Pathway in the Context of Love and Fear

• The Role of Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Attachment

• The Challenge of Translation in Social Neuroscience: A Review of Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Affiliative Behavior