If he walked by or made eye contact with me, I would get
a rush throughout my body that would make my cheeks flush and my knees buckle.
With every text message he sent me, I would get a flutter of excitement in my
stomach.
In the 1990s, a team of researchers led by biological anthropologist Helen Fisher
examined the science behind lust and love. They divided romantic love into
three distinct categories: lust, attraction and attachment,
each associated with their own brain chemistry. They found that
lust, which is fueled by a yearning for sexual gratification, releases hormones like testosterone and estrogen
that increase a person’s libido.
Attraction describes an infatuation that goes beyond sex ― for example, you can’t stop thinking about someone, you find yourself daydreaming about getting to know them and spending time with them, etc. That’s when neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine are released, which can lead to feelings of elation, loss of appetite and decreased need for sleep. The third category is attachment or “companionate love.” When compared to lust and attraction, attachment tends to be more secure, grounded and lasting. It releases bonding hormones such as oxytocin and vasopressin. Brain chemistry aside, how can you tell if the sensations you’re feeling are more aligned with love, or with the more fleeting lust and attraction? To better understand some of the differences between them, we reached out to relationship experts. Here’s what they told us:
Lust is about a physical connection. Love is about an
emotional connection.
“Lust feels like you intensely want to have sex with
someone. Love feels like you want to have sex with someone and be emotionally
close to them, too. Love means you want to spend time with your partner and
listen to his or her needs and emotions to feel connected. You also are
interested in meeting your beloved’s friends. Lust means you’re more interested
in having sex than having intimate conversations or meeting the person’s
friends.” ― Dr.
Judith Orloff, psychiatrist and author of The
Empath’s Survival Guide
Lust is impulsive. Love takes time.
“Love is rooted in delayed gratification, while lust is
rooted in instant pleasure. Lust feels like sprinting; love feels like a
marathon. Love means acceptance; lust means indulgence.” ― Janet Brito, a
psychologist and sex therapist at the Center
for Sexual and Reproductive Health.
Lust skims the surface. Love goes deeper.
“Lust is a state of mind that focuses on body parts,
seduction, power, fantasy and excitement. Love is risky and scary on an
emotional level. You’re becoming very real and vulnerable with them, trusting
them with your fears and hopes, sharing stories of shame and pride, hope and
disappointment, and really letting yourself be known. Love is letting your
guard down and granting your partner access to areas you don’t even like to
visit.” ― Ryan
Howes, clinical psychologist
Lust is short and sudden. Love is slow and steady.
“Love means hanging on for the long-distance ride. When lust
is the primary driver, partners can literally be in and out in one night. Love
is rooted in a deep commitment and endurance. Lust is rooted in a longing of
the loins and often results in unsatisfying hook-ups. Love is a comforting
pilot light that, if fed properly, can fuel a couple for a lifetime. Lust can
lead to a roaring bonfire of sex, but sex without a real relationship quickly
turns to ashes.” ― Iris
Krasnow, author of Sex
After: Women Share How Intimacy Changes As Life Changes
Love increases with time. Lust decreases with time.
“Love is rooted in attachment and bonding that grows over
time. Lust is rooted in intense desire and fades over time. Lust feels like a
rollercoaster of emotions driven by biological forces and activated by our
reward center, driven by desire for pleasure and connection. Love feels like
the desire and need for attachment with biological, sociocultural, and
psychological factors that determine its development.” ― Shannon
Chavez, psychologist and sex therapist
Lust is about you. Love is about them.
“When you lust for someone, you must have them. You need their body or presence in your life as if your life depends on it. Love is not possessive, though. You’ll certainly want someone you love in your life, but if their best life is found apart from you, then you want that for them. When you find that their well-being is a higher priority than your cravings, you’re in love.” ― Howes
Ultimately, the difference between lust, attraction, and love lies in what remains after the initial excitement fades. Chemistry may spark a connection, but emotional intimacy, trust, consistency, and genuine care are what help love grow. The next time you feel those butterflies, ask yourself: Am I drawn to the excitement of this person, or am I building a connection with who they truly are? Because while lust may ignite the flame and attraction may keep you thinking about someone, love is what helps keep the fire burning.
LadyYoly Lady Yoly
Psychic Advisor
Website: www.ladyyoly.com
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