The Scientists Resolve: Being In Love Is The Same Hormonal Condition As Being Drunk

The effects of alcohol and the «love hormone» oxytocin aren’t all that different, according to a study review done by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK. More specifically, both can lead to great euphoria and some negative, even destructive behavior as well.

The review published in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, took a look at previous studies done on the effects of both oxytocin and alcohol and concluded that the former, which is produced in the body when a person feels love or emotional connection, can be incredibly positive: it’s the hormone associated with falling in love, maternal bonding, altruism and generosity, after all.

But just like alcohol, it has a dark side: «In relation to the social effects of oxytocin, our main interests are in the dark side of the peptide. As well as promoting pro-social behaviors, the drug can clearly induce antisocial behaviors as well,» says Ian Mitchell, one of the study’s researchers, «Oxytocin is also associated with increased envy and gloating. This, and the effects on magnifying in/out group biases (meaning, favor for loved ones and prejudice against people outside this inner circle), would be important areas of study.»

Although it’s fascinating to know that being drunk and in love are sort of the same thing biologically, Mitchell says.