Many wonder how long the passion lasts, an emotional state characterized by the feeling of joy, fullness and satisfaction that is preceded by the attraction to another person, this step leads us to an altered state of consciousness, influencing our body to the point of favoring bad decisions.
Sexual attraction would be the pre-passion step, this desire for the other is determined, among other factors, by the activation of certain areas of the brain against the substances emitted by the other, pheromones, or by biological changes in themselves.
- Our body secretes several substances when faced with a stimulus that attracts us (a person.
- Or the idea of having it with us).
- Thus producing an increase in testosterone or estrogen.
- Increasing desire.
- Which in turn leads to an increase in adrenaline.
- Glucose and phenylethylamine.
These neurotransmitters cause our body to activate when we experience sexual attraction, increased heart rate, sweating, preparation of our organs for sexual response and feeling of pleasure.
According to some authors, this uncontrollable sensation of desire for the other can last for several years, it was at this time that a reduction in desire hormones was observed, however, this drop occurs with the increase of another hormone, known as love, the oxytocin.
Passion makes us feel tremors, paleness or redness, feeling unwell, stuttering and loss of control of emotions, but why does this happen?
Numerous studies indicate that passion is, a priori, like an addiction, which includes withdrawal syndrome and even tolerance.
When we feel someone’s desire, the nervous system activates the endocrine system to prepare them for sex, however, the absence of the person and the inability to satisfy desires leads to their inhibition.
The prefrontal regions inhibit the pulse and, with an increase in phenylethylamine, vasopressin and other hormones, there is a production of high amounts of dopamine, up to the secretion of endorphins.
All of this causes an imbalance in different systems, such as dopaminergic. Does this inability to consume desire lead to a decrease in Serotonin, resulting in lack of interest in activities, insomnia, decreased appetite and concentration?
On the other hand, the increase in Acetylcholine leads to obsessive and recurrent thoughts about the wanted person. We’re talking about compulsive behaviors, such as constantly looking at your photo or checking if it sent a message.
Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the brain, specifically in the hypothalamus, although men and women produce oxytocin, its production is higher in women and its levels increase during orgasm, childbirth and lactation.
In humans and other animals, this substance is related to care, so the more oxytocin there is, the greater the tendency to protect.
This is where, in addition to the attraction, there is a component of tenderness and care. You have to spend a lot of time together, take care of yourself and feel reciprocal, so that you both feel great about each other’s mere presence.
Taking into account all the underlying processes, it is possible to estimate the duration of the passion, which is estimated to be short-lived, ranging from a few weeks to a year.
Interestingly, there seems to be a relationship between the age of lovers and the duration of passion: the younger the passion, the less hard, the more intense it is.
Despite this, passion can spread, as it is composed of sexual desire and positive affection, these aspects can and should be kept alive for as long as possible.
Moving to a more established phase of love doesn’t mean our bodies can’t keep reacting and providing us with all those aphrodisiacs we originally felt.
Passion is a combination of sexual attraction and body imbalance, giving way to a more intimate bond as contact increases, one learns to get to know each other better and wonders whether or not to continue the relationship.
Sexual attraction adds to attachment to lead to passion. However, it is after this stage that we begin to analyze the possibility of going further, according to the experts, if the couple reaches this point and considers that the other has values and personality similar to yours, the loving bond is born.