The chemistry of love with Joji Mercier
Channel: Science and Cocktails Johannesburg
Date: 29/08/2017

Science & Cocktails Johannesburg
Date: 31 January 2017
Speaker: Joji Mercier (University of Pretoria)

The chemistry of love

 'If you can’t measure it; don’t mention it' goes a quote by an esteemed Professor of Internal Medicine, a point made clear to highlight the importance of evidence-based medicine and quantitative metrics. 'But love?' you say (preparing to navigate yourself through Valentine’s Day), 'surely that is unquantifiable? Surely that can escape the harsh delineation of science and rational explanation?'

So how does it all begin? Those heady euphoric days of being in love; the flutter of your heart and your sweaty palms? And oh! That first kiss! What are the physiological factors that combine in the melting pot of this thing that makes the world go round? Is there a love map, a kind of template of the perfect partner? Is this based on appearances, personality, a limbic resonance or pheromones (which may even elicit a specific immune response to a potential partner)? Or is it all just guided by hormones?

During this year's first session of Science & Cocktails Johannesburg, Dr. Joji Mercier will deconstruct the body's chemistry and physiology involved in attraction and lust: an addictive heady state that swirls us into new romances and reduces us to nervous exhilarated wrecks floating in a parallel universe. 'But' you say as Frankie Blue-eyes warbles out 'Love and marriage', 'is there science behind that transition between lust and love? Between that narcotic-like high and a permanent commitment, a long term attachment and staying together happily forever after?'

To find out these answers (and more), join us as we examine the physiology (or should we say 'pathophysiology'?) behind love which has been 'measured', so we may 'mention it' without restraint and with heady abandon. 

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