💘 Axios Finish Line: The science of love

Plus: Unconventional date night | Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Open in app View in browser     Axios Finish Line By Mike Allen, Erica Pandey and Jim VandeHei ·Feb 14, 2023 Feb 14, 2023 Welcome back. Join the conversation at FinishLine@axios.com. Smart Brevity™ count: 328 words ... 1½ mins.     1 big thing: The science of love Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios   We've all heard about having "chemistry" with romantic partners. Turns out there's some real science behind that, Axios Seattle's Christina Clarridge writes. 🖼️ The big picture: "Love is the result of chemical changes that happen in the brain when we meet someone and feel that connection," Larry Zweifel, a neuroscientist with University of Washington Medicine, said in a new blog post outlining love as a state of mind. "There are long-term changes in our brain when we connect with someone that link us to those individuals, sometimes for life," he said. 👀 "Love at first sight" is more likely a flood of dopamine and serotonin. That fated feeling of "finding a soul mate" could just be a deluge of oxytocin — a neurotransmitter that causes brain changes that help us form bonds. Not every relationship evolves into an oxytocin bond, Zweifel told Axios Seattle: "That requires reciprocity. The feeling has to be mutual." 🧠 Reality check: Even strong oxytocin bonds can break down over time, Zweifel said. Stress from work, family, finances and infidelity can all put the brakes on those happy vibes. His best antidote to relationship-killing stress? A strong support system. Share this story.     A message from Axios How to communicate efficiently, effectively, and profitably     Ineffective communication is costing orgs in the U.S. $2 trillion/year — presenting an urgent need for a new approach. That crucial capability is Essential Communications Management (ECM) — a strategy that ensures stakeholders have, read, and remember the info they need to activate on shared goals. Learn more about ECM     🍪 Worthy Valentine's Day treat Photo: Meredith K. Finish Liner Meredith K., in D.C., shares how she and her husband celebrated Valentine's Day this year: They baked cookies for their daughter's teachers: "We started this tradition a few years ago, staying up to the wee hours of the morning (last night we were efficient and managed to finish at 1 a.m.!), baking and icing cookies as a small way to show our appreciation for the educators who change our kids' lives." "It's a way for us to say thank you and has turned into a fun 'date' for me and my husband — a way for us to do something creative and artistic together — which we barely have time for between kids and work."   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: