There Really Is a Thin Line Between Love and Hate

There Really Is a Thin Line Between Love and Hate

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

filed under: fashion & beauty

Feeling happy, then snappy toward your guy? There's a reason!

You know how sometimes you feel so in love with your guy and other times you want to strangle him?

Well, you're not nuts. Scientists at the University College London say not only is fluctuating between love and disdain totally normal, you also can't help but feel that way.

Turns out the same part of your brain that activates feelings of love, is also responsible for producing feelings of hate -- which explains why sometimes you two are snuggly one minute and screaming the next.

In their study, the researchers showed 17 men and women pictures of someone the volunteers said they hated (i.e.: former lovers or work rivals).

The brain scans identified areas of the brain researchers call a "hate circuit" that switched on when people saw faces they despised. Those same areas also light up when people look at photos of people they love.

But get this: Scientists also say feelings of judgment and reasoning de-activate when looking at photos of loved ones -- which may explain why you often let his bad habits slide in the name of love.

3 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

It’s not helpful to provide women with rationalization and justification for anger towards their S.O. Women should be trying to be respectful and supportive of their husbands/boyfriends, not using them as a verbal or emotional punching bag. Men are just as susceptible to monthly hormonal cycles, mood swings, insecurities, frustration and other “human” conditions. Sorry, ladies, you don’t get another pass for bad behavior.

- SeattleDad

Posted 10/29/08 03:13 PM

I thought the article was pointless, but that photo scared the pee out of me. Look at that woman and tell me that she doesn’t make you want to run for cover. Seriously! I’m surprised her eyes aren’t popping out and that there isn’t foam around her mouth.

- Kate

Posted 10/30/08 11:49 AM

SeattleDad, men do the same thing as women. Sorry, it isn’t going to be an excuse for men either. it takes both people to have a fight and men And women start them. How about men be nice to women to and stop using them as punching bags verbally, emotionally, and physically. Men like you is what makes me mad.

- Anonymous

Posted 10/31/08 12:28 AM