Love Addict: Sex, Romance, and Other Dangerous Drugs

Giddy euphoria, an elevated heart rate, clammy hands, increased blood pressure, facial flushing, dilated pupils . . . these are the physical effects of 'falling in love' or being sexually aroused. These tell-tale signs of attraction are, in reality, caused by a cascade of electrical and chemical reactions in the reward centers of the brain, a reaction that also significantly increases feelings of well-being. Who wouldn't want to feel this way all the time? In fact, it would seem that love and sex (or their chemical components) are great drugs, and relatively safe too. But what happens when those euphoric feelings wane or someone calls it quits or the feelings are unrequited? Most people would move on; the same way most casual users of a drug such as cocaine or a behavior such as gambling don't become addicts.