Being in love good for the health

The act of being in love may actually have a protective effect on your health even as the moments of first love involve some stress. A study of those newly in love discovered that the stress hormone cortisol was higher in recent lovebirds than in those who were single or in long-term relationships. This shows that the stress of falling in love is momentary but the benefits of being in love remain. Dr Helen Fisher, a research professor at Rutgers University who studies the neurohormonal phenomena of love said that romantic love causes a surge in dopamine levels, which in turn increases testosterone production. More testosterone is linked to increased sex drive. Fisher said sex with the right person has a lot of healthy benefits – “It lowers blood pressure, enhances mood by releasing endorphins. It’s a sedative, helps you sleep, soothes aches and pains. It even gives you healthy skin and even emotional confidence.”

Read the full story on the Huffington Post.