Chemical Love

Dear Karlie,
What is chemical love? Do chemicals effect a relationships chances of success?

Sincerely,
ANON.


Dear ANON,
When two people announce that they have chemistry, its not just a figure of speech, its true! Many chemicals are involved in feeling the emotion of love. These chemicals are known as dopamine, serotonin, testosterone, and estrogen. Dr. Helen Fisher is a biological anthropologist who looked at how our body reacts to these four chemicals. Using biology, Fisher linked choices of mate selection to these four neural systems. These systems are regularly connected to our personality traits. She determined that we are divided between four personality types such as builders, negotiators, explorers, and directors. If you have a higher level of serotonin, you are a builder. Builders are socially oriented people who focus on the social aspects in life. Directors are filled with testosterone. These people are strategic learners who are constantly analyzing things and are emotionally contained. A high percentage of estrogen in your system could mean you are a negotiator. Negotiators are very passionate, imaginative people who are always thinking outside the box. Last but not least, explorers contain a high level of dopamine. These people are very untraditional, risky, and love a thrill. So which chemical is best paired up with which? The most successful chemical matches are those of both individuals containing serotonin or a mix of estrogen and testosterone. The couple where both individuals have high levels of serotonin in there system is the builder to builder couple. These couples get a double dose of socialization creating a wide social network. Builders are traditional and due to characteristic traits such as being loyal, patient, and persistent, a builder to builder relationship is built on solid ground and is very stable. The director and negotiator match are consists of two complete opposites. With one chemical being estrogen and the other being testosterone, you're probably thinking, how would that ever work? Actually despite the differences, directors and negotiators have important things in common. They both think constantly and like to discuss their thoughts. They can bounce off each other and learn from each others traits. Other chemical matches can work out as well but studies have proven that the builder to builder match and the director to negotiator match usually have the most success. It is important to remember the biological and physiological factors that contribute to the success of a relationship.

Sincerely,
Karlie.