The force that controls the Universe: scientists have named the most powerful kind of love

Researchers from Aalto University have conducted a unique study that revealed how the brain processes different types of love. Using modern brain imaging techniques, the researchers investigated how romantic love, parental affection, love of animals and even nature affect certain areas of the brain, creating a kind of "love map".

The study, which was published in the journal Cerebral Cortex, involved 55 people, all of whom had children and were in romantic relationships. It is reported by Knowridge.

They were asked to imagine various daily situations that evoke feelings of love, such as the moment of first meeting their newborn child, while their brain activity was monitored using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

The results showed that all forms of love activate certain areas of the brain, especially those responsible for social interactions and emotions. However, the level of brain activity varied depending on the type of love. Scientists have established the following facts:

• Parental love activates the brain the most, especially in the reward system, particularly in the striatum.
• Romantic love also actively stimulates the reward centers, but slightly less than parentallove.

• Love for strangers causes less activity compared to love for family.
• Love for nature stimulates not only the reward system but also the visual areas of the brain, but does not involve social areas as much as love for people.
• Interestingly, pet owners demonstrate higher activity in social brain areas when thinking about their pets compared to those who do not have animals. This allowed scientists to distinguish pet owners based on the analysis of their brain activity.

The study builds on previous work by this group that examined the physical sensations of love. Its findings not only expand the understanding of the effects of love on the brain, but also open up new possibilities for treating mental illness. Scientists hope that a deeper understanding of the brain's role in experiencing love will help develop new methods to support people with attachment disorders, depression, or relationship difficulties.

This study highlights the complexity of love and its strong connection to brain function and our emotions. Whether it's love for a partner, a child, an animal, or nature, the brain responds to each type of feeling in its own way.

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