Being in love is physically similar to the buzz of taking drugs and also has withdrawal symptoms, an expert on addiction has said. Dr John Marsden says dopamine – the drug released by the brain when it is aroused – has similar effects on the body and mind as cocaine or speed.

"Attraction and lust really is like a drug. It leaves you wanting more," the National Addiction Centre head said.

His findings will appear in a BBC programme to be broadcast next month.

Pounding heart

"Being attracted to someone sparks the same incredible feelings no matter who you are. Love really does know no boundaries," he said.

According to Dr Marsden – a chartered psychologist – the brain which processes emotions becomes "fired up" when talking to someone it finds attractive. The heart pounds three times faster than normal and causes blood to be diverted to the cheeks and sexual organs, which causes the feeling of butterflies in the stomach, he says. However, as with cocaine and speed, the "hit" is only temporary, though it can last between three and seven years, he added.

Perfect partner

Dr Marsden's research for the BBC's Body Hits series suggests people look for similar features to themselves in a partner as they are searching for characteristics in their mother and father, who have already successfully raised a child.

"It might look like we are all after the perfect partner to wine and dine but underneath, our animal instincts are seeking out an ideal mate to share our genes with."

"We tend to go for the smell of somebody who has a very different immune system and that stops you fancying your family.

"Our biology drives us to find a perfect compromise between sameness and difference and we strike that balance all the time when it comes to choosing faces and smells," he said.

Sex trap

The research also suggests sex is booby-trapped to make partners bond.

"Your body has evolved over millions of years with one aim – to go forth and multiply, so while having kids may not be on the agenda just yet your body has a few tricks up its sleeve to drag you in that direction," he said.

According to the research the more two people have sex together, the more likely they are to bond.

"We all know you can have sex without falling in love but if you have enough sex with the same person there's a good chance you will hit the body's booby-trap which is there to tip you head over heels into love," said Dr Marsden.

"So your body goes all out to make you bond with your partner and that makes love highly addictive and the withdrawal sucks."

(BBC, 2003-11-25)

※ 기사요약 : 약물중독 전문 심리학자의 말을 인용해 사랑에 빠지면 마약을 복용한 것처럼 신체가 반응하고 중독성도 있다. 영국의 심리학자 마르스덴 박사는 "누군가를 사랑하면 코카인을 흡입한 것처럼 뇌에서 각성효과를 가진 신경전달 물질인 도파민이 분비되며, 심장 박동이 평소보다 세배 정도 빨라진다"고 말했다. 또 이런 흥분 상태는 중독성까지 있어 "사랑에 빠진 감정은 마약처럼 계속 그 느낌을 갈구하도록 만들고, 없어지면 금단 증상까지 나타난다"고 지적했다.

※ 사랑은 마약이라네.. 그럼 난 마약중독자냐.. 쩝.. 괜히 기사가 뻑뻑하게 느껴지지..