Scientists use serotonin to change the way you think about relationships

A recent study shows that chemicals in the brain and central nervous system can alter the way you think about romantic relationships (Bilderbeck et al., 2011).  Findings were shown with the neuromodulator (a regulating neurotransmitter) serotonin and its precursor tryptophan (yes, that very amino acid falsely blamed for inducing sleepiness after eating turkey).

In previous studies, low serotonin levels have been associated with more social isolation or time alone.  Even certain monkeys with reduced serotonin levels have shown problems creating and keeping long-term relationships.

In this more recent study, scientists gave half a group of healthy adults a drink with tryptophan and gave the other half a drink without tryptophan.  Because the body uses tryptophan to generate  serotonin, researchers believed that those given tryptophan would be able to make serotonin and thus help them attune better to social relationships.  Those not given tryptophan would be depleted of serotonin and be less attuned.

After given the drinks, the participants looked at photographs of couples either touching (i.e., holding hands, with arms around each other, or linking arms) or not touching standing slightly apart. They then rated couples on a number of things including how committed, intimate, romantic, trusting, etc. the couples were.

Participants who were depleted of tryptophan rated couples as less intimate and less romantic than those given tryptophan.  The effect held true even after controlling for the ways people think about relationships through their attachment styles.  For example, those with fearful or insecure attachment styles have more concern over being vulnerable and rejected in a relationship.  These people are less likely to see stability and romance between couples, but the effect of tryptophan worked even after controlling for attachment style.

So the lesson learned from this study is that serotonin can affect the way people think about relationships, at least temporarily.  And if this research extends to your own relationships, perhaps eating foods high in tryptophan – like egg whites, cod, and raw soybeans – on your next date will help you see more romance too.

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Further Reading:

Bilderbeck AC, McCabe C, Wakeley J, McGlone F, Harris T, Cowen PJ, & Rogers RD (2011). Serotonergic activity influences the cognitive appraisal of close intimate relationships in healthy adults. Biological psychiatry, 69 (8), 720-5 PMID: 21396628