Phenylethylamine: characteristics of this neurotransmitter

This substance available in certain foods and drugs is related to love.

When we go through specific stages of our life, our organism synthesizes different types of chemical substances or "natural drugs". The stage of falling in love is one of them, where large amounts of phenylethylamine are produced.

Phenylethylamine is an organic compound belonging to the group of amphetamines. In this article we will know its characteristics, its effects and what factors can trigger its synthesis.

Phenylethylamine: characteristics of this neurotransmitter.

The phenylethylamine is an essential amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter. It is an organic compound produced by the brain, belonging to the group of amphetamines. It is a natural drug manufactured by the body itself, which stimulates the nervous system.

At the chemical level, its structure is also found in complex ring systems such as Ergoline (LSD) or Morphine (morphine).

Falling in love could be due to or initiated by this molecule, phenylethylamine, which causes exaltation, joy and euphoria. Thus, it is considered the biochemical substance "responsible for love", since when we fall in love or when we are overexcited, the body increases its production. So much so, that high amounts of phenylethylamine are found in the urine during the stage of falling in love.

This can be related to loss of appetite, euphoria and the ability of a person in love to dispense with sleep, as happens in this emotional stage.as happens in this emotional stage.

Disenchantment with love

When "our Heart is broken" or when such love is not reciprocated, after the euphoric phase of the first stage, a period of "depression", sadness or lethargy appears. These symptoms are very similar to those that appear in the abstinence syndrome of a person addicted to drugs. of a person addicted to amphetamines.

At this stage, the individual stops producing phenylethylamine naturally. As we will see later, chocolate can be a good ally in these moments, since it contains phenylethylamine.

Other associated chemicals

But continuing with the stage of falling in love (or when we correspond emotionally on a love level), it is then that the brain is flooded with this natural drug, phenylethylamine.

In addition, levels of dopamine also increase, levels of dopamine, an excitatory neurotransmitteran excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure, as well as levels of norepinephrine and oxytocin. In turn, dopamine influences the area of physical and mental energy (concentration and ability to recover memories).

Oxytocin is responsible for contractions in the uterus for childbirth and for the release of milk for breastfeeding, as well as being a chemical messenger of sexual desire.

It is also a chemical messenger of sexual desire, phenylethylamine helps to produce other neurotransmittersIt is responsible for the fact that people in love can invest a lot of energy in thinking about the loved one, or even in having sex without feeling hungry or sleepy, even losing track of time. It is as if the body "lost" the ability to feel tired, or endure many hours more active.

Research

In the 1980s, phenylethylamine was studied for the first time in relation to how it influences the feeling of love. The first investigations were conducted at the Psychiatric Institute of New York (USA), by Dr. Donald F. Klein and Dr. Michael Lebowitz.

These researchers suggested that the brain of a person in love contains large amounts of phenylethylamine.. Furthermore, they claimed that it was responsible for the change of reactions in the person's body at the physiological level, but also at the psychological level.

Klein and Lebowitz, in their theory, also claim that the production of phenylethylamine in the brain can be triggered by an exchange of glances, a touch or a handshake.. When this happens, the brain of the person in love responds with sensations and physiological modifications responsible for the acts and sensations of romantic love.

These sensations or responses are wakefulness, "grogginess", lack of appetite and extreme happiness (or euphoria). These sensations are similar to those of the consumption of certain drugs such as cannabis, laughing mushrooms or amphetamines.

Falling in love

On the other hand, falling in love itself is not eternal and is limited in time. At the level of the organism, this is understandable, since this could not last too long with this level of activation or excitement (or if it did, it would not be able to withstand it for too long). (or if it did, it would end up being detrimental). In other words, falling in love can last for weeks, months or even, in some cases, a few years.

Thus, the body gradually balances itself from this chemical whirlwind and a more stable stage appears, the stage of love.

What substances and situations increase your levels?

As we have seen, when there are high concentrations of phenylethylamine in the brain, B-endorphins are also released, B-endorphins, opioid peptides, are also released. which feed the secretion of neurotransmitters such as dopamine.

Phenylethylamine can be produced and activated by ingestion of certain drugs, foods or supplements.. It is also triggered by certain emotions or stages (such as falling in love), or by certain physical and/or pleasurable sensations produced by specific stimuli (e.g. a look).

Sport also produces the release of endorphins, as well as listening to music that we like or being exposed to light.

Some of the foods that activate phenylethylamine are chocolate (carrier of phenylethylamine; it produces psychoactive effects) or some types of cheese such as the so-called Stilton (a lactose variety). It consists of an English cheese, which is only produced in three English counties (Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire).

Also included are bananas, eggs, raw soybeans, lentils, almonds and nuts.almonds and walnuts.

Bibliographic references:

• Freyman, R. (2011). Love, future perfect? Ciencia Ergo Sum, 18(2), 187-191. Autonomous University of the State of Mexico Toluca, Mexico.
• Saiz, M. (2015). The phenylethylamine of love. Independientes, Journal specialized in addictions.
• Stahl, S.M. (2002). Essential psychopharmacology. Neuroscientific bases and clinical applications. Barcelona: Ariel.