The Thrill Is Gone

If you're part of a longterm monogamous couple trying to rekindle lost romance, you'll be disappointed to learn that each separate dying ember had wrought its ghost upon the floor since the one-year-in point:

The University of Pavia found a brain chemical was likely to be responsible for the first flush of love.

Researchers said raised levels of a protein was linked to feelings of euphoria and dependence experienced at the start of a relationship.

But after studying people in long and short relationships and single people, they found the levels receded in time.

. . . .

Of the 39 people who were still in the same new relationship after a year, the levels of NGF had been reduced to normal levels.

. . . .

Dr Lance Workman, head of psychology at Bath Spa University, said: "Research has suggested that romantic love fades after a few years and becomes companionate love and it seems certain biological factors play a role."

Link (via Sploid). Maybe the desire of old and busted couples to replevy their depleted pro(mance)tein is an explanation for the trendy new "managed monogamy."

Indexed by tags science, study, romance, love, sex, protein.