Love is a many splendored thing, a notion that is still relevant even in the 21st century. The feeling is best explained through student experiences and science - yes, science. Some people confuse lust with love, but it's much more than that.
"Love is [voluntarily] based in really getting to know a person, while sexual motivations are involuntary," said Dr. Scott Wersinger, a professor of psychology neuroscience studies. "What some men call love, women may call physical attraction."
Men base love more on physical traits such as sounds, sights and smells while women generally have a stronger cognitive component, according to Wersinger. The region of "fun" in the human brain that reacts to eating, drinking and other activities couples engage in is controlled by the hypothalamus.
"Oxytocin is released into the bloodstream when a couple engages in a 'fun' activity the hypothalamus controls," Wersinger said.
The hormone has an anti-anxiety mellowing effect and lends a boost to feelings of trust, which may partly explain why couples have a stabilizing bond.
According to Wersinger, women's hypothalamuses are more active than men's, which helps to explain differences between sexes when it comes to their levels of excitement.
"Oxytocin may be part of the story, but it's not the whole story," Wersinger said.
Amlan Chatterjee, a sophomore computer science major, gives science the back seat and believes in love at first sight because that's how he met his current girlfriend. Maintaining a relationship after the initial attraction, however, is the true test of love.
"Being judgmental is a big mistake," Chatterjee said. "I use my musical influences for strengthening love in my life."
Some students aren't convinced of the validity love at first sight and believe that there are other powers at work regarding initial attractions.
"You may have great infatuation, but it isn't love at first sight," said Tiffany Lindo, a freshman medical technology major. "I'm attracted to the way guys carry themselves."
According to Kristen Mazurkiewicz, a sophomore pharmacy major, it should be described more as chemistry at first sight, whereas true love is something that grows over time.
"I think everyone likes random kisses and hugs; if that was happening all the time, people would feel love," Mazurkiewicz said.
Tasneem Hamdani, a senior accounting major, feels that the way a person talks reveals a lot about their character, while looks aren't entirely important.
"Love is having someone accept you for [who] you are and support you for what you're striving for," Hamdani said.
Regardless of what couples feel during the moment of first attraction, many students agree that they are bound to experience differences.
"Couples bump heads on what they want to do and the way each other decide what to do," Mazurkiewicz said. "Guys and girls interpret things differently."
According to Hamdani, people sometimes have different motivations for being in a relationship and that can cause problems.
In one controversial study, the thrill of a roller coaster or the scare of a tarantula crawling up someone's arm is considered nearly the same sensation felt through human attraction, according to Wersinger.
"When we think about unlocking love, part of me wants to know," Wersinger said. "But part of me will mourn the day when we find out all love is a release of this [chemical]; to me it will make it much less special."
Love is a mystery of life and constantly scientifically studied, but science has its boundaries; it can only begin to explain love. This Valentine's Day, as people dim the lights and smell the roses, it is important to cherish every special moment, for love is a many splendored, emotional and scientific thing.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
