Why does love make people stupid

The phenomenon of "becoming foolish" in love is essentially a cognitive adjustment produced by the brain in a specific emotional state, which is a normal physiological and psychological response. This phenomenon is mainly related to mechanisms such as increased dopamine secretion, inhibition of the prefrontal cortex, concentration of attention resources, activation of mirror neurons, and elevated levels of oxytocin.

1. Increased dopamine secretion

During the honeymoon period, the ventral tegmental area of the brain continues to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that can produce pleasure but also reduce rational judgment ability. A sustained high concentration of dopamine environment can alter the sensitivity of the brain's reward system, making people in love more inclined to focus on positive information and ignore potential risks, and rely more on emotions rather than logical analysis in decision-making.

2. Inhibition of the prefrontal cortex

Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that when an individual is in a state of intense love, the activity of the prefrontal cortex responsible for rational thinking is significantly reduced. This neural mechanism originally helps to quickly establish intimate relationships, but temporarily reduces critical thinking abilities, manifested as turning a blind eye to partner flaws or making unconventional decisions.

3. Concentration of Attention Resources

In love, the brain automatically tilts cognitive resources towards partner related information, which can lead to a decrease in processing ability for other things. Psychological experiments have shown that people in a passionate relationship experience a temporary decrease in reaction speed and accuracy when completing tasks that require attention allocation, especially when it comes to emotional interference.

4. Activation of mirror neurons

Intimate relationships enhance the sensitivity of the mirror nervous system, leading to stronger empathy and synchronized behavior between partners in love. Although this neural mechanism promotes emotional connection, it can also lead to a decrease in independent thinking ability, making it easy to blindly imitate a partner's words and actions or excessively identify with their viewpoints.

5. Elevated levels of oxytocin

Physical contact stimulates the secretion of oxytocin, which enhances trust while inhibiting the amygdala's threat warning function. Neuroendocrine studies have shown that individuals with long-term high levels of oxytocin have significantly reduced risk aversion awareness, which may explain why people in love are more likely to make risky decisions.

This "stupid" state usually naturally subsides as the relationship stabilizes, essentially a mate selection mechanism preserved by biological evolution. It is recommended to maintain moderate self-awareness and balance emotions and rationality through regular solitude, maintaining social circles, and cultivating common interests. If there is excessive dependence or sustained impairment of judgment, seeking professional psychological counseling may be considered. Daily attention to ensuring sufficient sleep and regular exercise can help maintain the balance of cognitive function in the brain.