You might think you know all there is to know about love, but these relationship facts might blow your mind. Fill up with knowledge and excel at dating!
The moment you set eyes on someone you like, everything changes. Not only do you start to feel emotions you may have never felt before, but you act in a way that may be a little out of character! Learning a few dating and relationship facts might help you to realize that you’re not going crazy at all.
It turns out that much of this is actually out of our hands. It’s down to our brains and the chemicals it releases.
These psychological relationship facts may open your eyes to how you feel and what you do when you form an attachment to someone.
They say that love is blind, but is it really? And, when you get butterflies, what is really going on? It’s interesting to learn about, and while it won’t take the mystery and fun out of being in a relationship and how it makes you feel, it will give you a greater sense of understanding! [Read: 23 facts about love that will definitely blow your mind]
Must-know relationship factors to demystify love
Knowing a few dating facts won’t make it easier to work out why the apple of your eye is ghosting you, or why you can’t figure out if you’re exclusive or not. But they will help you to work out what’s going on inside.
If nothing else, it’s interesting to learn, right?
1. There are three stages to love
First, you experience lust. This is a strong and sometimes overwhelming feeling which is often confused with love. Secondly, you form an attraction to that person, and you want to get to know them better.
Finally, you form an attachment and fall deeply in love. Of course, for some, this attachment doesn’t last. However, it doesn’t make the love any less valuable and precious. [Read: How long does it take to fall in love? The answer to know for sure]
2. Lust is actually a deep desire to have children
Whether you realize it or not, and whether you want children or not, lust is actually driven by the need to get it on and reproduce. It’s a deeply rooted reaction and probably quite outdated.
However, it goes back to the days of the cave people, when reproducing was vitally important for the survival of the human race. Perhaps this is one of the relationship facts you shouldn’t worry about too much! [Read: How to manifest love – the steps to draw in your best love life]
3. Attraction and obsession are pretty similar
You might think the word ‘obsession’ is a little strong because we associate it with stalkers and negative behavior.
However, it turns out that when you’re really attracted to someone, your brain shows the same patterns as when you’re obsessed with someone or something!
That goes a long way to explaining why when you first meet someone and you are attracted to them, you get butterflies, and everything seems super exciting and fun.
4. Attraction takes away your appetite
Everyone has heard the saying that when you’re falling for someone, you can’t eat, you can’t sleep, and you can’t think about anything else for a long period. It turns out that the eating part at least is true!
In the attraction stage, your brain releases norepinephrine and dopamine. This combination can actually lower your appetite. That’s a dating fact that will help you figure out what’s really going on! [Read: Dating anxiety – what it is, 39 causes of panic, and signs and steps to get over it]
5. Loving chocolate is a little like falling in love
You know how when you have one square of chocolate and it’s just not enough? Then, you go on to eat the whole bar? There is a reason behind that!
It turns out that phenylethylamine, a hormone released by the brain when you fall in love, is also one of the ingredients in chocolate. This relationship fact explains a lot, right? [Read: The sexy benefits of being a chocolate lover]
6. Say NO to drugs – you can get the same high from falling in love
We all know that drugs are a huge no-no, but did you know that when you fall in love, it’s almost the same high as taking cocaine? We told you these psychological dating facts might shock you!
A recent study showed that the chemical brain patterns of someone who has taken cocaine are pretty similar to someone who experiences all butterflies of falling in love.
7. Your heart isn’t to blame, it’s your brain
We think that falling in love is all about the heart, but it’s actually not got a lot to do with it. Yes, it plays a part, but your brain does all the hormone-releasing and controls the way you feel and act to a large degree.
The whole heart thing is basically a marketing ploy. The shape of a heart is far prettier to put on packaging than the brain! [Read: Breakup anxiety – how to deal with it and overcome your biggest fears]
8. Love can make you do the weirdest things
We always joke that people in love are a little stupid, but there is actually some science behind it. When you fall in love, you leave your judgment skills at the door and it can cause you to do things you wouldn’t normally do.
Your sense of rationality takes a hit, and instead, you’re focused on getting it on! [Read: What is true love? 22 signs of love to know if your love is real]
9. Your heart beats in sync with your partner’s
When you’ve been together for a while, your hearts may beat in sync with one another. We’ve all heard about menstrual cycles being mirrored between friends who spend a lot of time together. It seems that lovers and heartbeats work in the same way. Cute, right?
10. Skip the painkillers and cuddle instead
Have a headache? Here’s a psychological dating fact that can fix that for you! A natural way to avoid the pain is to grab your loved one and have a good old cuddle!
Oxytocin, the love hormone, is responsible for pain reduction. It’s also the hormone that’s all about bonding people together. When you cuddle your partner, oxytocin is released and the pain should start to dull. [Read: How to cuddle someone – a guide to cuddle up and feel the love]
11. A broken heart is a real thing
When a relationship doesn’t go according to plan and you break up, a broken heart is actually real.
Of course, it’s not broken as in it’s not going to work anymore, but you will feel pain in that area and it can damage your heart too. This is known as Broken Heart Syndrome.
When this happens, the release of hormones goes haywire and can actually work against you rather than for you. That’s when you may experience pain in the chest and difficulty breathing. [Read: Can you die from a broken heart? 15 answers you didn’t expect]
12. A relationship will not complete you
Many people assume that when they meet The One, they’re meeting the other half of their soul. Therefore, making them complete. Reality check: you are already complete as the person you are.
When you meet someone, they enhance your life, not complete it. With that mindset shift, you’re far more likely to meet a good match and not someone who makes false promises that you believe out of fictional ideas. [Read: The 20 signs you’ve met your real soulmate]
13. Not all relationships are destined to work out
In movies and TV shows, you see people breaking up, then they figure out that they’re meant to be and get back together in some dramatic turn of events.
Truthfully, not all relationships last. It can also be the case for couples that look really ‘together.’
One of the most important relationship facts is that you have no idea what tomorrow will bring. As terrifying as that is, it’s also thrilling. Truly live in the moment and enjoy it – that’s what makes it so amazing. [Read: 23 facts about love that WILL blow your mind]
14. The most important thing is trust
We’re told that it’s all about passion and everlasting love, but none of that is going to work without trust. That’s one of the biggest relationship facts you need to know.
If you don’t trust your partner, there’s no point in being together, your time will be utterly miserable. [Read: How to build trust in a relationship and make it last]
Work on anything you need to work on, trust your instincts, but don’t point the finger of blame unnecessarily and without proof. Trust needs to be earned, and it’s not always a quick process.
15. It won’t last without communication
Another vital ingredient is communication. Couples who can’t communicate are doomed to fail because one partner will always be missing what they need or want. You’re also not able to work out any problems you have.
Issues will fester and cause oozing wounds to develop. It’s a rather disgusting analogy, but a true one all the same. Listen to this relationship fact if you want your union to work.
16. It’s nothing like the movies
Of all the relationship facts to know, remember this one at all costs. Relationships are nothing like you see in films and on TV. They’re glossed over and never show one partner looking terrible and the other in a seriously bad mood.
Relationships aren’t glamorous, they’re real life. It means you’ll see each other in your worst states and still love one another regardless. [Read: Realistic romance movies that can teach you a lot about love]
17. Sex will happen less and less, and that’s okay
If you think that you’re going to be jumping each other’s bones all the time until the day you die, you’re sadly mistaken. As you get to know each other and become comfortable, sex will become less frequent.
Don’t panic! This is very normal. You’ll find that the initial ‘can’t keep your hands off each other’ phase is replaced by something more loving. [Read: 32 weird but true psychological facts about love no one seems to know]
18. You really can’t hurry love
We totally get why you want to rush past that confusing ‘are we/aren’t we’ stage and get into the actual relationship side of things.
But, rushing could doom your union. Take your time, let things evolve naturally. As much as possible, go with the flow.
It’s one of the most important relationship facts to know because, by rushing things, you’re at risk of damaging something which could have turned out to be great. [Read: Avoid risking new love and learn how to be patient in a new relationship]
19. You can’t take your baggage with you
We all have a little baggage, whether we realize it or not. However, if we’re talking about relationship facts, this is one of the most vital: never take your baggage from an old relationship into a new one.
Whatever happened to you in the past isn’t your new partner’s fault. They aren’t necessarily going to repeat the patterns of your ex.
20. Not everyone is who you think they are
Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous types out there who turn out to be something completely different once they let their guard down.
When you first meet someone, they’re undoubtedly on their best behavior, as are you. When that slips, they might be someone you don’t like that much after all. Consider it a near miss. [Read: Strange, interesting facts about sex you didn’t know]
21. Marriage isn’t always the goal
Not everyone wants to get married, and not everyone needs it. Don’t assume that your relationship isn’t real if you don’t marry, because these days, not everyone gets married. It’s about how you feel and what you want, as well as what your partner feels and wants.
Come to a piece of middle ground and work out something perfect for you as a couple, not what society says you “should” do. That’s one of the biggest relationship facts! [Read: 20 flirty texting facts that’ll help you have a great love life]
22. You’ll still be attracted to other people
Just because you’re loved up and part of a twosome doesn’t mean you’ll never find another person attractive again. However, there is a difference between feeling a quick attraction and acting upon it. That’s a line you shouldn’t cross.
Of course, your partner is also going to be attracted to others at some point. Accept that as part of life. But, they also shouldn’t act upon it either! [Read: Is it normal to be sexually attracted to someone else?]
23. Fights don’t have to be the end
Couples fight. They argue and say things they don’t mean, then make up again. It’s normal, and, in some ways, it’s healthy. Remember that arguments don’t mean something drastic, nor that you don’t love one another.
However, if you’re arguing about the same things all the time, figure out the core issue. [Read: Why you keep having the same fight and how to break an unhealthy cycle]
24. Relationships aren’t always balanced
When two people are in love with each other, at any point in time, one person will always love the other person a lot more.
Now this doesn’t mean one person will hate their partner while another person is madly in love with their mate. What it actually means is that you can’t expect your partner to be one hundred percent every day.
Some days are more difficult than others, so you’ll need to be there for your partner just like they’re there for you. If you communicate, you’ll find your balance once more.
25. Appearances vs. personality
We’ve all experienced this dating fact, and we know it’s true. Guys are more likely to be attracted to a girl’s appearance, while girls are more likely to be drawn to a guy’s behavior.
So it’s clear, love *or is it lust?* at first sight only exists for guys! [Read: Love at first sight]
26. Patience means a longer-lasting relationship
Flings and wildly intense passionate affairs are great, but they’re not good for long-term relationships. If both of you are intensely passionate and end up having sex just about everywhere at the start of a new relationship, you should understand that the foundation of your relationship is sex and not love.
What happens when the flame of sexual chemistry flickers after a year or so? Unfortunately, in most cases, the relationship ends too.
So if you really want to fall in love with someone, take time to fall in love and understand each other. Build a solid foundation based on love instead of anything else.
27. Physical intimacy and closeness increase the chances of falling in love
Friends fall in love all the time, and so do colleagues at work. Physical contact creates an aphrodisiacal impact. Touchy-feely flirting may actually be a great way to get someone to fall in love with you.
So, remember this the next time you’re trying to woo someone. Try and spend more time with your crush in person, instead of speaking over the phone. They might just end up falling in love with you. [Read: Stages of physical intimacy as you go from strangers to lovers]
28. Affairs are about sexual excitement
This is a dating fact that’s not really great to hear, but it’s true. Affairs are always more sexually exciting than long-term relationships.
The adrenaline rush of having sex with someone new, coupled with the fear of getting caught heightens the sexual excitement to a frenzy that can’t be matched by long-term sex. [Read: Having an affair with a married man]
29. Love makes you happy and sad
People who are in relationships and love their partner are the happiest and are more satisfied with their life than most happy singles.
At the same time, people who are in a relationship, but are unhappy with their partner, find themselves more depressed and hate their life a lot more than most singles who are depressed.
That’s a pretty obvious dating fact, when you think about it. [Read: How to know if you are in love]
30. A woman’s happiness is a key indicator of a successful relationship
If the woman is happy, it’s a good sign that the rest of the relationship is functioning well.
Women are more likely to want to speak up and sort a problem out than men. The latter might choose to bury their heads in the sand and hope things work out in time.
So, if the woman is feeling good about the relationship, that’s a pretty good sign that things are going well in general.
31. It’s not written in the stars
There has been no proof or correlation between star signs and compatibility. So, if you often read your horoscopes and check your new beau’s star sign against your own, you’re basically wasting your time. [Read: Relationship compatibility. what it is, 40 signs you have it, and ways to improve it]
32. Out of your league?
We’ve all heard the saying “Out of my league,” but it turns out that someone is far more likely to date someone they see as somehow above them if they’ve known them for a long time.
This is probably because they’ve got to know them past the façade and they realize that they’re out of their league at all!
33. People with the same level of attractiveness are more likely to date
This is a dating fact that might not surprise you. People who have the same level of attractiveness are more likely to date and end up together over the long term than people who seem somehow mismatched.
This could simply be because they don’t feel intimidated to approach one another and get the whole dating situation off the ground. [Read: 15 truths and secrets to get a girl that’s out of your league and impress her]
34. People in love have chemical similarities with people with OCD
This dating fact might surprise you! Yes, people who are head over heels often show chemical similarities in the brain with people who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder.
Now, don’t panic. This doesn’t mean you actually have OCD, but that the chemical reactions in the brain tend to be along similar lines.
35. Butterflies in the stomach are real
In the early stages of dating, you experience all manner of weird and wonderful sensations. One of them is likely to be butterflies in the stomach.
Now, you might have a problem picturing actual butterflies floating around in there, but the sensation is certainly true! It’s all down to the release of adrenaline which gives you this fluttery feeling. [Read: Butterflies in your stomach – 16 steps to control and calm them instantly]
Attraction makes you act out of character
These dating facts should go a long way to explaining why we feel so out of control when someone new comes into our lives.
You feel like the reins have been taken away from you, right? Well, that’s down to hormones and working your way through the three stages of falling in love!
You may not actually make it to the love part. A million and one things can happen between the start and the actual arrival at the “L” word. But if you do, you’re sure to go through a range of reactions, feelings, and actions.
Even though it hurts at times, love really is one of the most amazing experiences in life.
[Read: How to know if you’re in love and it’s not just butterflies you’re feeling]
So, when you fall in love and you start to do things you would never have done before, check back on these dating facts and everything should slot into place.