15 Facts about Love: Things You Might not Know

culled from:http://youqueen.com

by Trina

You know that amazing high you get when you’re in love? The feeling that you can take on the world and that life is beautiful? Addicting isn’t it?
But is that really all there is to love? Is it just a simple emotion that elevates us, or is there more to it that eludes us?
Scientists have been studying love for many years, both in people and in the animal kingdom. There have been a number of wonderful and quite surprising discoveries in the world of love as well.
Here are a few facts about love that might surprise you and make you look at things a little differently next time you’re head over heels for someone.

1. There are many animals who remain monogamous

In the animal kingdom there are many different species that remain monogamous throughout life. For example, the black vulture, as unattractive and foreboding as it is, is extremely monogamous in nature. If one of the vultures is caught being unfaithful, the others will gather around and attack it.
That’s an extreme, of course. However, other animals including penguins, lobsters, and turtle doves are all monogamous by nature. Most birds are, really.

2. The male seahorse gives birth

It’s not always the woman who gives birth in the animal kingdom. A female seahorse will provide and nourish the eggs, then transfer them over to the male seahorse, which actually gives birth. Seahorses can have up to a thousand babies at once, however, they have a very low survival rate. The balance of birthing responsibilities gives them a chance to have more babies faster and keep the stress of birthing to a minimum.

3. Love is a drug, cocaine to be exact

Being in love makes you feel high, all right. In fact, love gives you the same kind of euphoric feeling that cocaine does. If you’ve ever wondered how people become addicted to cocaine, this is probably the reason. After all, who doesn’t like the feeling of being in love?

4. You can actually feel a broken heart

Your heart can actually break. It’s more common in women, but, whenever someone has a broken heart they can exhibit signs of a heart attack including numbness and stabbing chest pains. They’re heart, literally, feels broken.

5. Celibacy enhances creativity

When you’re not getting sexual release, you feel more creative. Of course, when you’re not having sex you have to focus your mind on other things to try and forget that you’re not having it, but you also have all that excess energy to make use of. Celibacy is the key to creativity.

6. Thinking about sex makes a person think short term

Have you ever regretted having sex in the morning? You know, you were all caught up in the moment but didn’t weigh out the consequences? You’re not alone. The idea of sex makes people think only of the moment and in short term. If you’re thinking long term commitment, then it’s best to hold out on having sex.

7. Love at first sight is real

It’s true; you can fall in love at first sight. I bet you didn’t know that staring into a stranger’s eyes gives off the “fight or flight” hormone, and the longer you stare, the more likely you are to be unable to turn away. To add onto that, in the first four minutes of knowing someone, you already know whether you like them or not. There you have it. When someone says, “Our eyes met and I just knew!” they’re probably telling the truth.

8. You do lose your mind when you’re in love

You know that feeling you get when you’re in love, the feeling that you just can’t get them out of your head? That’s true, but there’s a reason for that. When you’re in love your mind has the same components and hormones kicking around as those who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I wonder if that’s why there are stalkers out there.

9. A beautiful face is more attractive than a beautiful body

Scientific studies have proven that you’re much more likely to attract a partner when you have a beautiful face. Sure, a gorgeous body doesn’t hurt, but it’s not the determining factor. Of course, don’t feel too overwhelmed by this. Remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

10. After three minutes of looking into each other’s eyes, your heart rates synchronize

Did you know that if you and your lover gaze into each other’s eyes for three minutes, your heartbeats will synchronize? I know many people have synchronized steps when walking together, but to actually have your hearts on the same wavelength must be so emotionally powerful! I’ll have to try this the next time I’m in love.

11. The fear of falling in love is real

I’m sure you know that there are people who are terrified of commitment, after all there are many romantic comedies written about it, but did you know that there are people who are actually afraid of falling in love? It’s called Philophobia. When you think about it, though, who could blame them? Falling in love gives you the same effect of being on cocaine, it makes you feel like you have OCD, and if it ends you could quite literally have a broken heart. I’d say that’s pretty terrifying!

12. Apples are associated with love in many cultures

(Greece- throwing an apple at someone, eating an apple as you brush your hair at midnight on Halloween)
It isn’t just the bible that has the apple reference; there are many cultures that associate apples with sexuality and even love. For example, did you know that in ancient Greece people would throw an apple at someone to show them they love them? Sure, because nothing shows love like being pelted with fruit, right?
It’s not only in ancient Greece, though. They (I’m pretty sure it was the Quakers) say that if you eat an apple while brushing your hair and looking into a mirror at midnight on Halloween, you’ll see the person you’re supposed to marry over your shoulder in the mirror. I tried it, it didn’t work, but then I could have had the wrong apple or just didn’t believe in it hard enough. Still, it gives you something to do next Halloween.

13. Cuddling eases pain

Even as adults we still feel the need to cuddle someone when we’re unwell or when we feel sad, but I bet you didn’t know there’s a biological reason for that. You see, cuddling is a natural painkiller. That’s right, it actually releases painkillers in your body. So, the next time you’re hurting (emotionally or physically), find someone to cuddle with.

14. There are same sex couples in the animal kingdom

For those who thought that homosexuality was strictly a human thing, I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong. Male sheep, for example, have been known to have homosexual relationships. Bulls and cows as well. Some animals, like pink flamingos, have a male and female relationship long enough to reproduce, and then the male and his male partner will kick the female out of the nest and raise the baby on their own.
Dolphins are known to have orgies. As you can see there are definitely some interesting sexual developments going on in the animal kingdom as well.

15. When a man knows he’s going to have sex, his beard grows faster!

I have no idea why this is true (probably hormones), but I found it absolutely fascinating! I wonder if men who have sex more often are quicker to grow a five o’ clock shadow. I wonder if women unconsciously notice the enhanced hair growth and find these bearded studs manlier and sexually more attractive in return. This statement really only gave me more questions.