The science of falling in love - Shannon Odell

Prevodilac: Milenka Okuka Lektor: Ivana Korom

Love is often described as heartwarming, heart-wrenching and even heartbreaking.

Ljubav se često opisuje kao nešto što greje, razdire, pa čak i lomi srce.

So, what does the brain have to do with it?

Dakle, kakve veze mozak ima s tim?

Everything!

Svakakve!

The journey from first spark to last tear is guided by a symphony

Putovanje od prve varnice do poslednje suze je navođeno simfonijom

of neurochemicals and brain systems.

neurohemikalija i moždanih sistema.

As you begin to fall for someone,

Kada počinjete da se zaljubljujete u nekoga,

you may find yourself excessively daydreaming about them

možda se zateknete kako preterano sanjarite o njemu

and wanting to spend more and more time together.

i želite da provodite sve više i više vremena zajedno.

This first stage of love is what psychologists call infatuation,

Ova prva faza ljubavi je nešto što psiholozi nazivaju zanesenošću

or passionate love.

ili strastvenom ljubavi.

Your new relationship can feel almost intoxicating,

Vaša nova veza se može činiti gotovo opojnom,

and when it comes to the brain, that’s not far from the truth.

a kada se radi o mozgu, ovo nije daleko od istine.

Infatuated individuals show increased activation in the ventral tegmental area.

Zaljubljeni pokazuju povećanu aktivnost u ventralno tegmentalnoj oblasti.

The VTA is the reward-processing and motivation hub of the brain,

VTO je čvorište mozga za obradu nagrađivanja i motivacije,

firing when you do things like eat a sweet treat, quench your thirst,

koje se upali kada radite stvari poput jedenja slatkiša, gašenja žeđi

or in more extreme cases, take drugs of abuse.

ili, u nešto ekstremnijim slučajevima, drogiranja.

Activation releases the “feel good” neurotransmitter dopamine,

Aktivacija oslobađa dopamin, neurotransmiter za dobro raspoloženje,

teaching your brain to repeat behaviors in anticipation

podučavajući vaš mozak da ponavlja ponašanja u iščekivanju

of receiving the same initial reward.

dobijanja iste prvobitne nagrade.

This increased VTA activity is the reason love's not only euphoric,

Pojačana aktivnost VTO-a je razlog zašto ljubav nije samo euforična,

but also draws you towards your new partner.

već vas i vuče ka vašem novom partneru.

At this first stage, it may be hard to see any faults in your new perfect partner.

U prvoj fazi može biti teško videti ikakve mane vašeg novog savršenog partnera.

This haze is thanks to love’s influence

Ova pometenost nastaje zahvaljujući uticaju ljubavi

on higher cortical brain regions.

na više kortikalne oblasti mozga.

Some newly infatuated individuals show decreased activity

Neki sveže zaljubljeni pojedinci pokazuju umanjenu aktivnost

in the brain’s cognitive center, the prefrontal cortex.

u kognitivnom centru mozga, prefrontalnom korteksu.

As activation of this region allows us to engage in critical thought

Kako nam aktivacija ove oblasti omogućuje učešće u kritičkom mišljenju

and pass judgment,

i donošenju sudova,

it’s not surprising we tend to see new relationships

ne iznenađuje što smo skloni da gledamo nove veze

through rose-colored glasses.

kroz ružičaste naočari.

While this first stage of love can be

Dok prva faza ljubavi može da bude

an intense rollercoaster of emotions and brain activity,

intenzivna vrteška emocija i moždane aktivnosti,

it typically only lasts a few months,

obično traje svega nekoliko meseci,

making way for the more long-lasting stage of love,

krčeći put dugotrajnijoj fazi ljubavi,

known as attachment, or compassionate love.

poznatoj kao vezivanje ili saosećajna ljubav.

As your relationship develops,

Kako se vaša veza razvija,

you may feel more relaxed and committed to your partner

osećaćete se opuštenije i posvećenije svom partneru

thanks in large part to two hormones: oxytocin and vasopressin.

najviše zbog dva hormona: oksitocina i vazopresina.

Known as pair-bonding hormones,

Poznati kao hormoni sparivanja,

they signal trust, feelings of social support and attachment.

signaliziraju poverenje, osećanja društvene podrške i vezivanja.

In this way, romantic love is not unlike other forms of love,

U ovom obliku, romantična ljubav se ne razlikuje od drugih vidova ljubavi,

as these hormones also help bond families and friendships.

pošto ovi hormoni takođe pomažu u zbližavanju porodica i prijatelja.

Further, oxytocin can inhibit the release of stress hormones,

Dodatno, oksitocin može da inhibira oslobađanje hormona stresa,

which is why spending time with a loved one can feel so relaxing.

zbog čega provođenje vremena sa voljenom osobom može delovati opuštajuće.

As early love's suspension of judgment fades,

Kako prolazi period neosuđivanja rane ljubavi,

it can be replaced by a more honest understanding and deeper connection.

može biti zamenjen iskrenijim razumevanjem i dubljom povezanošću.

Alternatively, as your rose-colored glasses begin to lose their tint,

U suprotnom, kako vaše ružičaste naočare počinju da blede,

problems in your relationship may become more evident.

problemi u vašoj vezi mogu da postanu očigledniji.

No matter the reason a relationship ends,

Bez obzira na razlog okončanja veze,

we can blame the pain that accompanies heartbreak on the brain.

krivac za bol koji prati slomljeno srce je mozak.

The distress of a breakup activates the insular cortex,

Bol zbog raskida aktivira insularni korteks,

a region that processes pain—

oblast koja obrađuje bol -

both physical, like spraining your ankle,

fizički kao u slučaju uganuća zgloba,

as well as social, like the feelings of rejection.

kao i društveni, poput osećanja odbačenosti.

As days pass, you may find yourself once again daydreaming about

Kako dani prolaze, možete se ponovo zateći kako sanjarite

or craving contact with your lost partner.

ili žudite za kontaktom sa izgubljenim partnerom.

The drive to reach out may feel overwhelming,

Poriv za kontaktiranjem može biti neodoljiv.

like an extreme hunger or thirst.

Poput ekstremne gladi ili žeđi.

When looking at photos of a former partner,

Posmatrajući slike bivšeg partnera,

heartbroken individuals again show increased activity in the VTA,

pojedinci slomljenog srca ponovo pokazuju pojačanu aktivnost u VTO-u,

the motivation and reward center that drove feelings of longing

centru za motivaciju i nagrađivanje koji je pokrenuo osećanja čežnje

during the initial stages of the relationship.

tokom početnih faza veze.

This emotional whirlwind also likely activates your body’s alarm system,

Ovaj emotivni kovitlac verovatno i aktivira sistem uzbune u vašem telu,

the stress axis, leaving you feeling shaken and restless.

osovinu za stres, ostavljajući vas potresenim i nespokojnim.

As time goes on,

Kako vreme prolazi,

higher cortical regions which oversee reasoning and impulse control,

više kortikalne oblasti koje nadgledaju promišljanje i kontrolu impulsa

can pump the brakes on this distress and craving signaling.

mogu da stave kočnice na signalizaciju uznemirenosti i žudnje.

Given that these regions are still maturing

Kako ove oblasti i dalje sazrevaju

and making connections through adolescence,

i prave veze tokom adolescencije,

it's no wonder that first heartbreak can feel particularly agonizing.

ne čudi što prvi raskid može da se čini naročito mučnim.

Activities like exercise, spending time with friends,

Aktivnosti poput fizičke vežbe, provođenja vremena s prijateljima,

or even listening to your favorite song

pa čak i slušanje omiljene pesme

can tame this heartbreak stress response,

mogu da ukrote ovu stresnu reakciju na slomljeno srce,

while also triggering the release of feel good neurotransmitter dopamine.

istovremeno pokrećući oslobađanje dopamina,

neurotransmitera za dobro raspoloženje.

And given time and the support,

A vremenom i uz podršku,

most can heal and learn from even the most devastating heartbreak.

većina uspe da zaceli i nauči čak i iz najrazornijeg raskida.