Dopamine is one piece of the puzzle when it comes to the brain’s ability to convert short-term memories into long-term memories (via Scientific American). Researchers from a 2012 study published in The Journal of Neuroscience outline how animal studies have shown dopamine release is essential in order to preserve memories that would otherwise last only approximately 4 to 6 hours. In the study, participants between the ages of 65 and 75 who were given the drug levodopa (which then becomes dopamine within the body) demonstrated improved memory recall of images that had been presented to them 6 hours earlier. The images were of various indoor and outdoor environments. While these findings may indicate a general link between dopamine and memory, what’s the relationship between our neurotransmitters and romantic memories, specifically?
Odds are, you probably remember the first time a partner said the words, “I love you.” Why do we remember our firsts in such visceral detail? “Much like an addict’s first high from a gambling win or an addict’s first heroin high, we want to re-experience that ‘first time’ again,” cognitive behavioral coach Dr. Robin Buckley told Bustle. “Our brains remember the neurochemical ‘high’ associated with it and want that experience back.”