Being love-struck also releases high levels of dopamine, a chemical that “gets the reward system going,” said Olds. Dopamine activates the reward circuit, helping to make love a pleasurable experience similar to the euphoria associated with use of cocaine or alcohol.
That first spark of attraction ignites a region buried deep inside the brain called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA. Recognizing a potential reward in the making, the VTA begins producing a chemical called dopamine, often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter.
This is because the early stages of romantic love activate our reward system, much like cocaine can. In the early stages of a romance, critical hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin interact with the brain's reward system, especially dopamine, so that we are “addicted” to our new lover.
The brain then produces elevated levels of dopamine, which plays a role in how people experience pleasure, and norepinephrine, resulting in a faster heart rate, restlessness and loss of appetite — all signs of attraction.
High levels of dopamine and a related hormone, norepinephrine, are released during attraction. These chemicals make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric, even leading to decreased appetite and insomnia – which means you actually can be so “in love” that you can't eat and can't sleep.
You Can Feel It
This one is probably a no-brainer; when someone is attracted to you, they want to touch you. Touch releases the bonding hormone oxytocin. So, it is an instinctive way of trying to strengthen your connection. However, not all touches mean the same thing.
They find ways to spend time with you
You try to find excuses to spend time with them as well. And when you meet up, you will sense they have eyes and ears for you and you alone. They will take the lead to make plans with you. They will listen to all your stories no matter how long or boring or detailed they are.
If you're wondering if your attraction to someone is mutual, there are some possible signs of mutual attraction that you can look for. As mentioned in the article above, signs of mutual attraction can include frequent communication, physical touch, prolonged eye contact, mirroring, blushing, and flirtatious behavior.
The same interests and values may also be a powerful way people are drawn to someone. When two people have similar hobbies, goals, or beliefs, it might create a sense of connection and compatibility. Emotional connection is another reason why people may feel drawn to each other.
While you can feel a strong chemistry with someone, it can be because you feel safe and close to them, or extremely similar, or exciting. Perhaps this person feels like they get you, just as you are and you can feel how attracted they are to you as well.
Even if we know the chemical processes in the brain, we may still not understand why crushes develop or why we are drawn to certain people and not others. There are five components to attraction and developing a crush: physical attractiveness, proximity, similarity, reciprocity, and familiarity.
The three stages include lust, attraction and attachment. The first phase of falling in love is the lust or the desire phase.
Happy and shared memories are the answer to what triggers emotional attraction in a man. Memories can remind people how much they mean to one another and that's one of the answers to what triggers emotional attraction in a man.
"Infatuation may turn into love if you are able to accept the disappointment and willing to give rather than self-serve," Suh explains. "Infatuation is self-serving because you feel good fantasizing about the person, but the reality is that this person who you think is perfect is probably not perfect.
Crushes are rooted in fantasy and tend to happen when you don't know much about a person but idealize what they are like, Kolawole said. Crushes and love do, however, have biological similarities.
If you have been wondering, “When you feel attracted to someone do they feel it too,” you might be under much stress. Well, the simple answer is, “Yes!” Many times, people can sense when someone is attracted to them. This feeling that exists between two people is frequently referred to as “chemistry” or a “spark.”
A strong connection to someone you barely know is usually characterized by your ability to read their non-verbal cues, even more than usual. You can tell when they are happy, sad, irritated, or satisfied with something. Considering this mental state, it is even easier to get along with them.
We can build chemistry by laughter and shared values, someone who speaks our love language and makes us feel seen, heard and understood. This might explain why the experience of having chemistry with someone can feel so good. Excitement meets craving more time spent with that person.
Intense romantic chemistry is hard to cover no matter how much you try. If the connection between two people is really strong, then yes, other people can sense the chemistry between them.
Eye Contact as a Sign of Attraction
Long before the romantic conversation starters or intimate questions, it starts with the eyes. The "eyes are the windows to the soul" isn't just a saying; prolonged and frequent eye contact can be a major sign that someone is attracted to you.
Eye contact makes us feel good and connects us
Prolonged eye contact has been thought to release phenylethylamine, a chemical responsible for feelings of attraction. It has also been thought to release oxytocin, the love chemical most closely associated with longer term bonding and commitment.