Love Lasts Only 4 Years
- Saturday, February 16, 2008, 9:37
- News, Relationships
- 24 comments
Researchers at National Autonomous University of Mexico claim, that every infatuation lasts no more than four years. According to the scientists, infatuation which resembles temporary madness is caused by the activation of specific chemical compounds in the brain. Even the deepest love will not be there anymore, when the “reserve” of these compounds runs out (in 4 years at most). Then passionate love becomes just emotional addiction or sexual dependence.
Love Is Obsession
The scientists surveyed a large number of loving people and have also found, that love has all the characteristics of the obsessive-compulsive neurosis: when one is in love, they often lose sleep and appetite and can’t think of anything else, but their beloved.
Love Him Only Once
Besides, the Mexico researchers have found, that one can fall in love with a particular person only once. The feelings that might occur after the break of relationships are transient and can’t stir up great love.
Source of the image: unam.mx.
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24 Comments on “Love Lasts Only 4 Years”
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Mexicanos are idiots to tell that! They are all idiots.They know only sex with prostitutes and carnivals!
TU eres stupido idioto!
As far as I know, carnivals are more common to Brazil. And it’s not good to tell, that the entire nation consists of idiots unless you know each of them personally and know for sure, each of them is so. I’ve never been there, but I’m sure, you’re totally wrong. I’ve never expected such a hostile comment under the article about love…
Though I know nothing about Mexico i think mr xx is a piece of sh… but these researchers are right. Love lasts even shorter than 4 years. Infatuation 2-3 months. That’s my bitter, but TRUE experience.
This is really bitter. Is there anyone, whose experience is less bitter?
We’ve been married for 11 years, well, I wouldn’t say all this time it was a paradise, we had everything, quarrels, tears, but I still love my husband, so does he. And as for infatuation, I think it’s true.
love doesn exist.
Love doesn’t exist? I’m in my 6 month. I love my husband, he adores me and we both are extremely happy tobecome parents soon. Love is the only thing people live for!
Mexico has weapons of mass destruction.
This is accurate with what I’ve read.
The chemical processes that occur in our brain to make us feel love need only exist for a limited amount of time.
The four year mark may seem arbitrary, but it dates back to caveman days. It’s the amount of time required for a child to be conceived and taken care of for their first few years. After that, at least w/ respect to a more primal society, a child could be weened by its peers, rendering the parents’ relationship unnecessary.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I have a more positive experience
I am in LOVE with masturbating, and have been for the greater
part of my life, nearing 22 years, LOVE lasts way way more than
4 years buddy.
Can we get a source on this information?
Andrew, thank you for your interest. Here are the sources:
The official site of National Autonomous University of Mexico – http://www.unam.mx
And here is the direct link to the article:
http://www.dgcs.unam.mx/boletin/bdboletin/2008_094.html
I hope, you speak Spanish.
Frederic Beigbeder published his book “Love Last Three Years” in 1997.
i definitely recommend reading it!
greets from croatia
Well, I know an infatuation last about 3 years with me. It difficult to get on with a new relationship then because you’re still “in love” with the previous one, for 3 damn years. It annoying. It is like you know you’re crazy and you can’t do anything about it.
And I tend to agree that “love” doesn’t exist. It a complex chemical reaction triggered by external stimuli. The behaviour of the reaction depends on the stimuli and your genetics and experiences. That’s why it’s even more annoying.
Ah, but it is definately better to have loved and lost, than to have never have loved at all, sigh, still not over her, damn.
I don’t think love can be measured and weighed like some science experiment. Love is more than just chemical compounds in our brains. I have been in love for 7 years now and continue to fall in love with my husband over and over again. I still get that puppy dog oppressive love thing each time I fall in love with him again. I think the researchers should either broaden their test group or go back to the drawing board.
Love is not infatuation. Infatuation is about longing, desire and anticipation. In my experience it is more of a body feeling that the mind obsesses about. Love is more about appreciation and giving, infatuation is about getting. Infatuation is exciting but you can’t expect it to last. I think this article confuses the two.
Love … duh duh….love will keep us together….
4 a few years anyway ….
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It’s probably true…according to this Italian study, it’s only ONE year! http://www.physorg.com/news8568.html
But don’t lose hope because the article mentions, “…they believe the same chemical also stimulates companionship, which is essential in any long-term relationship.”
Also, keep in mind that there are exceptions to these supposed facts–for example, some people need as little as 3 hours of sleep per night to be fully rested. There is no doubt that most relationships become less intense as time goes on, but since the 4 years is an evolutionary thing, it’s very likely that over (centuries of) time this will change in humans to last an average of 18 years or even a lifetime. Evolution occurs through the most useful genes having dominance, so even though there is an average or even a vast majority, there are always exceptions with the new strong gene or a “weaker” one that slipped through. I am willing to bet that there are people alive today who can feel love for a lifetime.
What bullshit!!! Just goes to show the internet is really full of nutjobs
I hope these posters are not Americans. I am an American but at least I have been privileged to be enlightened. The movie Sicko is a great example that Ameircans are the most ignorant people on the face of the planet, while all the greatest innovations on studies of medical subjects, including human sexuality are far more advanced outside of US than inside of US. US medical industry are monopolied by powerful pharmaceuticals and the insurance industry, milking its citizens and imprison their doctors — so they cannot perform altruistic act of good will to save lives but abide by the strict and inhuman policies of red tapes, based on profitability for the blood sucking leeches.
I believe MORE of Mexicanos doctors than any Americans. Another eye opener for the ignorant. If you are injured in France, you can take 2 months off or longer, there are no set 5 max sick days in a year. If you need to go to a university to get a college degree, it’s free. If you need to go to a hospital after an accident, it’s free. If you are pregnant, there will be a part-time government employee who are sent to help you cook, wash dishes, and do your laundry. Americans are so dumb, I am embarrased to call myself one.
Is no one seeing the irony here covering the subtext of Mexican researchers finding this out? Mexican families are notorious for being the happiest most contented in the world. How many scientists in Mexico do you really believe have derided their scientific regime for the wonderful fountain of love? Bitter much? What about the all important compound oxitocin, that is heavier than any of the other chemicals sustaining us throughout our lives, in a relationship or not. I am sorry but I have to agree with most of the sentiments here, that this a large pile of pony pies.
Could the scientists give a answer for one additional question? How long will woman’s love last if her man resembles (or is) Pierce Brosnan? ; )