It's official: Romantic love 'lasts just a year'

[emad]

Some couples may disagree, but romantic love lasts little more than a year, Italian scientists believe.

The University of Pavia found a brain chemical was likely to be responsible for the first flush of love.

Researchers said raised levels of a protein was linked to feelings of euphoria and dependence experienced at the start of a relationship.

But after studying people in long and short relationships and single people, they found the levels receded in time.

The team analysed alterations in proteins known as neurotrophins in the bloodstreams of men and women aged 18 to 31, the Psychoneuroendocrinology journal reported.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4478040.stm

HUMBUG!

[WCGreen]

1. I've had bouts of Romantic love that lasted...

Oh, about 12 minutes or so.....

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. Sounds about right to me

[emad]

8. Romance is DEAD among DUers?????

Don't believe it!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. It's not dead at all!

I can think of nothing lovelier than two people who are still in love with each other after the glow of a new relationship is gone!

[emad]

10. That 'glow' of a new relationship is gone......

Sometimes it ain't gone at all, just the batteries need a bit of pepping up.

[Loonman]

3. Sounds right

The "honeymoon" period lasts about 6-12 months.

[LynzM]

4. There definitely is a time in the beginning that is more like that....

But it's possible to get that feeling back over and over again with the right person, albeit in smaller increments :)

[Redstone]

5. Mrs R and I have been living that year for the last fifteen.

There must be something real wrong with our brain chemistry or something.

Redstone

[Ladyhawk]

6. I'm glad for you, maybe a little jealous.

I guess I don't really believe in love.

[emad]

7. Sounds like some ain't discovered the second (and third, fourth,

fifth, etc) honeymoon!