From the ancient cave paintings of courting rituals to the latest binge-worthy Netflix saga, humanity has always been obsessed with one central theme: connection. At the very core of our social existence lies the push and pull of relationships, and the stories we weave around them—the —have become the blueprint for how we love, lose, and dare to try again.
Neuroscience offers a clue as to why "relationships and romantic storylines" dominate our media consumption. When we watch a compelling romance, our brains release a cocktail of chemicals: (anticipation of the kiss), oxytocin (the bonding hormone when they finally connect), and serotonin (the mood stabilizer of a happy ending). ameriichinosexv810avi004