14 - 20 February 2002
Issue No.573
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 14 - 20 February 2002 Issue No.573 |
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Limelight
Love is in the air
"If all the world loves a the air-waves. The world tremblingly alive, is gushing and blushing in exquisite shades of scarlet, crimson, vermilion, flaming reds and warmest pinks -- for today is Valentine's Day, the feast of the noblest of human emotions, the feast of love!
But what is it -- Spring is King! And who is this obscure and enigmatic saint, St Valentine, and why is he the patron saint of love!
The history of The names of teeed in mid-February to commemorate the anniversary of Saint Valentine's death.
At least three diffe Emperor forbade youn unswerving faith and ardent prayers, it is said, miraculously restored her sight. Before his execution he signed a farewell message to her "from your Valentine", a phrase that has lived to this day.
It is believentine. As Chrisleans to hisplaced by printed cards with verses and sketches. Today, over one billion cards are sent on Valentine's Day, second only to Christmas.
While words, pding, a symbol of love, f beating heart. For florists olates, especial long before tulants of the central nervous system.
The earliest extant Valentine card c.1415
Valentine has male and female. Sweets, cakes, mousses and crème-brulées garnish most menus. Perfumeries make a brisk business and so do CDs and tapes full of melodies of courting and romance.
But what is someone you are attracted to.
The most well known love-related chemical is Phenyl-ethylamine (PEA), closely related to Amphetamine and producing the same effects as the drug itself. This natural "upper" brought about by the release of PEA contributes to that "on top of the world" feeling of people "in love". It also gives y releasing the neurotransmitter Dopamine - the "feel good" chemical, similar to Adrenaline. The repeated release of Dopamine induces a positive learning experience in the brain between the "new love" and the "good feeling", driving us to repeat the stimulus by seeking more contact with the person who caused the initial release. Dopamine is as potent as Morphine, making you feel better as long as the stimulus is present.
All these chemica love! Some analysts believe that after a certain period between 18 months and 4 years the body develops a tolerance to the brain's natural highs and passionate romance "cools down" into what anthropologist Dr Helen Fisher, author of Anatomy of Love, calls "attachment" -- but that's another story for another day.
Today we celebrate Love, so hard. If birds and bees can do it, so can we. So let's do it, -- "let's fall in love"!
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