Types of love ‘live’ in different parts of the brain, experts say – and pet owners have surprising ‘activation’ patterns

PATTERNS in your brain could signal whether you are a parent or a pet owner.

Different levels of brain activity correspond to types of love, with some areas "lighting up" more than others.

Researchers from Aalto University in Finland used advanced imaging technology to measure brain activity in a new study.

The results were published this week in the Cerebral Cortex journal through Oxford University Press.

Test subjects were presented with stories about six types of love: parental, romantic, love for a pet, love for a friend, love for a stranger, and love for nature.

A sample of 55 parents who described themselves as "in a loving relationship" were asked to envision several scenarios.

‘You see your newborn child for the first time," one read.

"The baby is soft, healthy and hearty — your life’s greatest wonder. You feel love for the little one.’

Researchers found that parts of the brain activated with different levels of intensity depending on the scenario.

"The activation pattern of love is generated in social situations in the basal ganglia, the midline of the forehead, the precuneus and the temporoparietal junction at the sides of the back of the head," lead author Pärttyli Rinne explained.

Love for one’s children generated the most intense activity, closely trailed by romantic love.

"In parental love, there was activation deep in the brain's reward system in the striatum area while imagining love, and this was not seen for any other kind of love," Rinne said.

The researchers concluded that brain activity is impacted not only by the closeness of the relationship but also whether it is with a human being, another species, or the natural world.

Compassionate love for strangers triggered less brain activation than love in intimate relationships.

Love of nature activated the reward system and visual areas of the brain, but left the social brain areas untouched.

Surprisingly, affection in relationships between people were similar, with differences in the level of activation.

All types of interpersonal love triggered areas of the brain associated with social cognition, as opposed to love for animals or nature.

However, there was one exception - certain patterns of activation were a dead giveaway for pet owners.

"When looking at love for pets and the brain activity associated with it, brain areas associated with sociality statistically reveal whether or not the person is a pet owner," Rinne said.

"When it comes to the pet owners, these areas are more activated than with non-pet owners."

Respondents were also asked to envision neutral stories - as dull as brushing your teeth.

This "control variable" served as a benchmark against which other test results are measured.

After hearing a professional actor’s rendition of each love story, participants were asked to envision each emotion for ten seconds.

Studying human emotion is no new feat for Rinne and his team, but the latest results are anticipated to have a lasting impact.

‘We now provide a more comprehensive picture of the brain activity associated with different types of love than previous research,’ Rinne explained.

The scientists hope their research will contribute to the treatment of mental health disorders like depression or attachment disorders.

Major parts of the brain

Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres (left and right). It controls higher brain functions like thought, memory, reasoning, and voluntary movements. It's further divided into four lobes:

• Frontal Lobe: Responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, control of movement, and aspects of personality.
• Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.
• Occipital Lobe: Primarily responsible for visual processing.
• Temporal Lobe: Involved in processing auditory information and memory.

Cerebellum: Located under the cerebrum at the back of the brain. It is crucial for coordination, balance, and fine motor skills.

Brainstem: Connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions such as heart rate, breathing, and sleeping. It includes:

• Midbrain: Involved in vision, hearing, motor control, and alertness.
• Pons: Relays signals between the cerebrum and cerebellum and helps control breathing.
• Medulla Oblongata: Regulates vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

Diencephalon: Situated between the cerebrum and brainstem, it includes:

Limbic System: Often referred to as the "emotional brain," it includes structures such as:

Basal Ganglia: A group of nuclei that work together to control voluntary motor movements and routine behaviors.