Can You Really Be Addicted to Love? – Video Panel for YourTango

New brain research shows that love operates in our brain much like that of a drug. I joined fellow YourTango experts in discussing the question of whether it is possible to be addicted to love, and its implications for relationships today: Can You Really be Addicted to Love?

Just admit it. Even though you haven’t been dating very long, you’ve got it bad. From the way he laughs at all of your jokes to how his hand fits into yours, being with him is intoxicating; in fact, all it takes is one look from your lover to send your heart racing and make you fumble with your words. If you’ve ever been in love, then you know that it can be addicting. But is there a scientific reason for why we fall as hard as we do? Just what is love and why is it so hard to quit?

When Human Behavior Researcher Helen Fisher mentions that “brain circuitry for romantic love follows the same pathway as all of the other addictions do”, it isn’t hard to see where she’s coming from. We’ve all been in that one relationship where we lost ourselves completely, too blinded by our emotions to see that we’re already at the finish line. YourTango Experts Senior VP Melanie Gorman, Therapist SaraKay Smullens, Relationship Retreat Guide Mary Ellen Goggin and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Alicia H. Clark reiterate the fact that when your relationship is going smoothly, the horizon seems pretty bright. But when it’s bad, this addiction can be hard to quit.

Is love really an addition? Listen for yourself.