The Paradox of Oxytocin: Love's Double-Edged Sword

This chapter explores the role of oxytocin, the 'hug hormone', in fostering love and attachment while also highlighting its potential to lead to reckless behaviors. It examines the emotions of embarrassment and regret that can arise from irrational actions in romantic relationships.

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Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a pattern. And patterns, when understood, can be changed.

We are the descendants of beings who bonded, lusted, and survived—not by chance, but by biology.

In this episode, we explore the elegant architecture of love, divided into three distinct experiences: lust, attraction, and attachment.

Each has its own hormonal symphony: testosterone’s drive, dopamine’s thrill, oxytocin’s warmth. But these chemicals, while essential, are not our destiny. We must choose how we respond to them.

The opportunity lies in seeing love not just as passion, but as a practice—a practice of self-awareness, empathy, and intentionality.