Americium

It would not be fitting to let Valentine's Day slip away without discussing the chemistry of love. I'm sure we've all felt that initial giddiness that comes with falling in love (or if you're a ninth grade girl listening to Justin Bieber essentially does the same thing). That giddiness includes a racing heart, sweaty palms, and a flushed face, but have you ever wondered why that is?

Just call it Love Potion No. 9. The combination of dopamine and norepinephrine, two hormones produced by your body, combine to stimulate a feeling of bliss (dopamine) and increase your heart rate (norepinephrine). The perfect cocktail of these two hormones also produces elation, intense energy, sleeplessness, craving, loss of appetite and focused attention.

While love is clearly more complex than this seeing as it takes teddy bears, roses, candy, and flowers to win a woman over nowadays, you can read more about it by clicking here.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!

 
Fun Fact: Americium is the last element that is legal to own without needing expensive special licenses.