The Love Drug

[avad]

"Scientists are finding that, after all, love really is down to a chemical addiction between people..."
Whether we believe it or not, there's some interesting food for thought in this article on oxytocin, something I've been meaning to research more. thanks keeki_grrrl!;) A book I own that I found pretty fascinating in the same vein is 'A General Theory of Love' by doctors Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, and Richard Lannon. Some of this research is an essential ingredient for my evil plan to save the world btw. ;)ooh ha, I just found she posted this too, secret's out.:future paradise *now back to the labORatory...*

Comments

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

You might be interested in this article I wrote several years ago:

The chemistry of love.

[avad.livejournal.com]

awesome, Van, thanks for the link! Now it will be filed here in my secret labORatory folder.;)
you got me doubly by the focus on squirrels!!:)

Next we need more research on the nature of online relationships...at which point image representation and text becomes an unlikely surrogate for physical pheremones...triggering a bond with an intangible other.

I'm also fascinated by it visually/mentally (trying to figure out a way to express it in art)...as image and text become vessels to carry 'something' across distance....and the strangeness of how we are left holding the empty vessels, trying to bring them to life....like dolls....rereading and revisiting text and image as invocation....seeking connection with the Other within a labyrinth of 2d symbols...

Much of my work (the readings series especially) has dealt with the mysteries of language and the tangible. Now with cyberspace...the communities and virtual worlds...there's this nuance...that is at once so telling about what is essential to humanity...that I hear it as a sad wolf howl in the wires...in the bandwidth...striving to manifest...

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Your words and ideas always fascinate me. I'm still struggling to bring Tendril to life, but I'm convinced her cyberspace story is a fable about seeking connection.

In the past I dated online. I formed the opinion it was a frustrating and pointless exercise, so for several years I avoided it. Although I indirectly met Danny through LJ, I had not really read his journal or gotten to know him before we met in person.

One of the interesting things about being polyamorous is being open to different ways of experiencing and expressing love. Having a secure relationship for the first time has freed me to explore some of those avenues, because the cost of failure (getting hurt) is not so high. I can afford to give, and let myself feel. Although I have only one formalized relationship, there are two other men I consider myself in love with, one who I've met in person on two occasions and spent a few days with, one who I've yet to meet. But there are others, too. For me the definitions of how I should feel about people (friends, family, lovers, new acquaintances) are blurred, and I enjoy this ambiguity. It is a creative exploration of love and desire. It has taught me some things about myself.

One of the recent lessons: I can handle loving someone at a distance, it won't tear me apart. As one of my friends commented this week, love is a madness. But perhaps it is a necessary madness, at least to artists and poets.

The questions you raise are highly relevant, and I'll continue my research. ;-)

[avad.livejournal.com]

"Your words and ideas always fascinate me." Ditto, Van.
A fable about seeking connection is needed. how IS Tendril doing?

Polyamory is fascinating as well. Feels 'truer' to our potentials and evolution (as bisexuality is to me as well), yet certainly a complicated challenge to societal expectations and individual insecurities. I am glad you currently enjoy the exchange of various relationships and feel you can afford to give and feel at such levels. May we all evolve an ability..:)!
Poet, lead the way!:)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Tendril took a big holiday during the month of December. I think it's time I told her to buckle down.

And yes, polyamory has even allowed me to wonder to what extent I'm bisexual (I haven't decided), and perhaps at times asexual while still wanting love and passion.