How falling in love changes a woman's body

Danielle Fowler
·Freelance Writer
Finally, there’s science to back up the butterflies [Photo: Getty]
Finally, there’s science to back up the butterflies [Photo: Getty]

We’ve all behaved like lovestruck teenagers at some point in our lives and it turns out, first date butterflies and the inevitable over-analysis of your text exchange is simply part of human nature.

According to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of California, falling in love with someone sparks genetic changes in women’s bodies.

The investigation – which is the first of its kind to uncover the impact of love on our genes – involved taking blood samples from 47 young women, as they embarked upon new relationships over the course of two years.

Researchers analysed genetic changes in those who fell in love and discovered that when Cupid’s arrow struck, women were not only affected psychologically but physically too, through palpitations and obsessive thinking.

Women’s bodies change when they fall in love, new research suggests [Photo: Getty]
Women’s bodies change when they fall in love, new research suggests [Photo: Getty]

The team also found that falling head over heels led women’s genes to produce interferon – a protein which usually fights viruses.

Although the process is not yet fully understood, they believe that it could be in order for women to prepare their bodies for impregnation.

Upon this discovery, the scientists also investigated how the levels of interferon change during the course of a woman’s relationship and discovered that those who eventually fell out of love saw a reduction in the protein.

“Falling in love is one of the most psychologically potent experiences in human life,” the research team concluded. “New romantic love is accompanied not only by psychological changes.”

Now, the research team is intrigued to find out how men are influenced by love and plan to uncover how a male’s genetic response to romance differs to women.

—Watch the latest videos from Yahoo—

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK.

Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

How to have the best possible divorce – and live happily ever after apart

From orbiting to cookie-jarring, 2019’s dating trends explained

As dating app Bumble launches ‘zodiac’ filter, which star signs are romantically compatible?

Latest stories