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This is what happens in your brain when you fancy someone

You can blame your medial prefrontal cortex. It’s so romantic.

WHEN YOU FEEL that irresistible pull to the face or body of a stranger you can blame your… medial prefrontal cortex.

That’s the brain region responsible for “love at first sight” researchers say. This brain region gets more active when you see someone that you are physically attracted to.

In their studies they scanned the brains of speed daters. Potential dates that lit up the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex the most were more likely to be picked for a date.

Another study found four brain regions that were specially activated when watching sexually explicit films (and not when watching neutral or comedic films).

The four spots of the brain that activate when watching a sexually explicit film. (Fonteille, et al, Sexologies, 2011)

As detailed by ScienceAGoGo:

  • The first was the inferior temporal cortex, a region also corresponding to the visual associative zone. The researchers inferred that the subject was assessing and analysing the visual stimulus when this zone was activated, corresponding to the perceptive-cognitive component of sexual arousal.
  • The second region was the right orbitofrontal cortex, which might be related to emotional and motivational phenomena.
  • The third area was the left anterior cingulate cortex, which appears to control primary physiological responses (endocrine and autonomic), but also affective responses, to sexual stimuli. In other words, it would govern physical and psychological preparation for sexual activity.
  • The fourth region was the right insula, that could be involved in subjective perception of physiological modifications associated with arousal (heart rate acceleration, penile erection, etc.)
  • Finally, the right caudate nucleus probably controls whether sexual arousal is followed by sexual activity.

The researchers also saw that testosterone levels rose during the sexually explicit film. Hormones like testosterone and oestrogen are what modulate our sexual desires — they increase when we hit puberty.

The brain cells in these regions was the release of neurotransmitters — the chemicals that communicate between our brain cells. These include the “feel good” chemical dopamine, the “fight-or-flight” chemical adrenaline, and serotonin. As described by researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK:

Adrenaline: The initial stages of falling for someone activates your stress response, increasing your blood levels of adrenalin and cortisol. This has the charming effect that when you unexpectedly bump into your new love, you start to sweat, your heart races and your mouth goes dry.

Dopamine: Helen Fisher [of Rutgers University] asked newly ‘love struck’ couples to have their brains examined and discovered they have high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This chemical stimulates ‘desire and reward’ by triggering an intense rush of pleasure. It has the same effect on the brain as taking cocaine!

Fisher suggests “couples often show the signs of surging dopamine: increased energy, less need for sleep or food, focused attention and exquisite delight in smallest details of this novel relationship.”

Serotonin: And finally, serotonin. One of love’s most important chemicals that may explain why when you’re falling in love, your new lover keeps popping into your thoughts.

- Jennifer Welsh

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    Mute Michael McGrath
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    Jan 30th 2025, 2:31 PM

    Thought they might risk Sheehan. As good as Kelliher is in the loose his lineout throwing is relatively weak and we might struggle there. No way would I have had Henderson on the bench ahead of POM particularly with Baird starting and Ahern should be on ahead of both of them. And if they are talking about picking on form Nash should be starting ahead of Hansen

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    Mute Sean
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:10 PM

    @Michael McGrath: I agree Nash is in better form than hansen but there are still questions about.his defence…izuchukwu should be in squad ahead of henderson and ahern

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    Mute Michael McGrath
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:05 PM

    @Sean: Actually forgot about him, absolutely no need for a specialist lock on the bench with Baird playing at 6, also having Henshaw on the bench is very restrictive as well covers only two spots 12 and 13. I think overall Easterby wasnt far off the mark, I would question Prendergast ahead of Crowley based on his defensive performance the last day against Bath where his channel was more or less covered by Barratt, but time will tell

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    Mute Shelley Keary
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    Jan 31st 2025, 1:29 PM

    @Michael McGrath: my thoughts exactly

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    Mute Thomas Meaney
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:28 PM

    Strap yourself in it’s about to start. Mon Ireland!!

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    Mute James Leahy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:38 PM

    France will be the real test.

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    Mute Patrick O'Leary
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:05 PM

    @James Leahy: English might have something to say about that.

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    Mute Ciaran
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:34 PM

    @James Leahy: captain obvious over here..

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    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:38 PM

    Not Ireland. Leinster vs England
    West Brits vs Brits

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:40 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: Boo-hoo cry more buddy. Leinster are now 14/14 this season and are well deserving of all the selections that they’ve got on the team. The only other Munster players that deserve to be in that team are Nash at 14 and POM at 6. Crowley doesn’t even deserve to be in the 23 based on his poor form. He should have been dropped for a 6/2 split on the bench to match up to England and make sure that we don’t get outmuscled. You Munster dirtbags are so petty and sour that you’ve got a chip on both of your shoulders.

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    Mute den
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:05 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: sack

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    Mute den
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:10 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: get over it, ye are just brutal phuckers, not good enough to play for Ireland. SUAF me bolix.

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    Mute Michael McGrath
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:11 PM

    @William Jennings: Crowley has been brilliant in his last two or three games and considering the shite he’s had to listen too from the D4 press for the last 6 months forensically scrutinizing every move he made looking for mistakes to big up Prendergast its a wonder the chap can come out of his own house if your looking for dirtbags you needn’t look too far away from the RDS. At least he can defend his own patch and not need a minder

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    Mute TheGood Feign
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:24 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: somebody got triggered

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    Mute Ringo
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    Jan 31st 2025, 12:31 AM

    @William Jennings: Congratulations 14 from 14! A wonderful achievement, seems like it’s the same every year for Leinster, the big games come around and the lack of bottle shows!

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    Mute D
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:09 PM

    Is Rugby a real sport ?

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    Mute reg morrisey
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:19 PM

    @D: better than boring soccer anyway.

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    Mute Kieran Conroy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:23 PM

    @D: Only to those intelligent enough to understand it.

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    Mute Gearoid MacEachaidh
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    Jan 30th 2025, 2:10 PM

    That’s probably the 15 I would have gone with. For me it was 50/50 between Prendergast and Crowley and I would have been happy with either. The only surprise is Henderson on the bench over McCarthy.

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Jan 30th 2025, 2:34 PM

    @Gearoid MacEachaidh: Kelleher over Sheehan. Lineout could be a problem.

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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:42 PM

    @Gearoid MacEachaidh: McCarthy is injured, apparently. I’m sure he would have started otherwise, with Beirne at 6 and Baird on the bench

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    Mute Gearoid MacEachaidh
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:46 PM

    @Paul Fahey: I think the issues at the line out go beyond who is it hooker. It’s been failing since the warm up matches before the world cup with any of the 5 hookers who’ve played since then. Paul O’Connell needs to start earning his money or all the goodwill he’s built up over the years will start to run out. But I agree with you that Sheehan is a better thrower. Better at everything to be honest.

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    Mute Gearoid MacEachaidh
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    Jan 30th 2025, 4:20 PM

    @Kevin Kerr: Didn’t know McCarthy was injured. I think Beirne is one of the best 2nd rows on the planet but doesn’t have the same impact at blindside flanker. But you’re probably right, if Joe was fit that’s what would have happened

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    Mute Luke Littler
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:23 PM

    Ireland minus 30 points is my bet. A great victory in store for mighty Ireland.

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:30 PM

    @Luke Littler: yawn

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    Mute Luke Littler
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:42 PM

    @Philip Kennedy: you will not be yawning when we unleash upon the English.

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:27 PM

    @Luke Littler: won’t be watching

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    Mute Tezmond McVicar
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:37 PM

    @Luke Littler: There’s help out there for people like you. Take it.

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    Mute Luke Littler
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:40 PM

    @Philip Kennedy: of course you will

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    Mute John Bathe
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:35 PM

    @Philip Kennedy: then why are you reading a Rugby article?? Strange.. sad trolling possibly..

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:37 PM

    @John Bathe: trolling definitely

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:39 PM

    @Luke Littler: oh no I won’t

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    Mute Ender boy 908
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:53 PM

    Is it because I play for Leinster……

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:45 PM

    Good team selection overall. I’m particularly glad that Prendergast got the nod over Crowley for the 10 jersey. I don’t know why Henderson is still in the 23. He’s been past it for a good while now and he gives away way too many cheap penalties. I also don’t know why Hansen is still in the 14 jersey either after the terrible Autumn campaign that he had for Ireland. His attitude has been terrible and he’s been a turnstile in defence and a ghost in attack for Connacht. What should have happened is Baird goes into the 19 jersey to cover lock instead of Henderson and POM goes into the 6 jersey to help shore up the lineout which has been spluttering as of late. Nash then goes into the 14 jersey instead of Hansen based on a clear advantage in form. Hopefully we can iron out the litany of errors.

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    Mute Martin O Connell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:46 PM

    We will be 3rd at best!! We are an aging squad with very little to offer by way of replacements.

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:34 PM

    The old South Dublin boys club picked

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    Mute den
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:20 PM

    @Tim Brennan: proper order, ye useless phuckers, invest in your underage

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    Mute Matt Rogers
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:15 PM

    Fingers

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    Mute Matt Rogers
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:17 PM

    @Matt Rogers:
    OK I’ll try again !!

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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:58 PM

    A stroll for Ireland.

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