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Psychol Med May 1999 PMID 10405096

Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love.

D Marazziti, H S Akiskal, A Rossi, G B Cassano

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Mentions

138
Peak: 8 in Nov 2024
across 5 sources since Mar 2021

Extended reach

476,756
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Total likes

15,004

Video views

135,501

Mentions per month

Mar 2021 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions reveal a high level of interest and engagement, with many posts referencing the scientific study directly and discussing its implications, such as labeling love as a mental health condition similar to OCD. The tone varies from serious analysis to humorous remarks, but all underscore the article's influence in reframing romantic love through a neurochemical lens, emphasizing its potential impacts on societal perceptions of love and mental health.

AgreementStrong agreement

The majority of discussions strongly agree with the scientific findings that romantic love shares biochemical similarities with OCD, indicated by phrases like 'biochemically indistinguishable' and 'matching OCD patients.'

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity and engagement, referencing studies, scientific terminology, and even humor, such as calling love a 'mental illness' supported by science.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many contributions delve into the details of the research, mentioning specific biochemical markers, study references, and implications, reflecting deep engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

Discussions suggest the article significantly influences perceptions of love, framing it in a biological and psychiatric context, with comments about stigma and mental health awareness highlighting its societal importance.

Abstract in brief

  • The study found that people who recently fell in love and patients with OCD both have a significantly lower density of serotonin transporters in their platelets compared to normal controls, suggesting a possible neurochemical link.
  • This similarity in serotonin transporter levels indicates that early romantic love and OCD may share underlying brain mechanisms, particularly involving the serotonin system.
  • The findings imply that specific psychological experiences, like being in love or having OCD, might be connected to similar biological changes at the level of serotonin regulation.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
milee.
@picebooverse · X

source: https://t.co/OncrxLoasF

Jan 31, 2022 · 319 likes · 14 shares · 11,420 followers View post →
yamamormot
@yamamormot · X

@vaiencechannel 論文置いておきます。MARAZZITI, D., AKISKAL, H. S., ROSSI, A., & CASSANO, G. B. (1999). Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love. Psychological Medicine, 29(3), 741–745. doi:10.1017/S0033291798007946 https://t.co/fsKmG2xj1i

Nov 3, 2024 · 10 likes · 810 followers View post →
Víctor et al.
@azogueray · X

#CuriosidaddelDia En 1999 se publicó un estudio que mostraba que bioquímicamente el amor romántico es indistinguible de los trastornos obsesivo-compulsivos. «Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love» Marazziti D et al, Psych. Medicine, 29: 741-745, 1999 https://t.co/svAQvdYyDk

Feb 14, 2023 · 9 likes · 1 share · 5,259 followers View post →
Bouteflikov™
@Bouteflikov · X

Source : https://t.co/CXjkjW3nng (eng)

Aug 23, 2021 · 4 likes · 211,667 followers View post →
Coalition Action for Preventive Mental Health
@capmhkenya · X

People in early stages of Romantic relationships exhibit the same characteristics as of someone with OCD- #love #stigma #NormalPeople #Happiness #mentalhealth https://t.co/fzFIFGg7Gg

Apr 12, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 4,720 followers View post →
Joe B
@JBianco215 · X

Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love https://t.co/Su3uG8G4De People in the early romantic phase of a love relationship matched OCD patients in the density of the platelet 5-HT (serotonin) transporter, which was significantly lower versus controls.

Aug 18, 2023 · 2 likes · 4,591 followers View post →

All mentions

The Neurochemical Link Between Romantic Love and OCD

Falling in love causes a hormonal rush that can feel incredible. Recent research shows that romantic love and OCD both involve lower serotonin transporter levels in platelets, suggesting shared brain mechanisms related…

DR. FLOJO · Mar 21, 2021 5,321 views
flowers
@flo_wers23 · X

RT @picebooverse: source: https://t.co/OncrxLoasF

Nov 9, 2024 · 14 shares · 2 followers View post →
1967-516
@Elogio_de_la_ · X

https://t.co/riEEPBxHsj The main finding of the present study is that subjects who were in the early romantic phase of a love relationship were not different from OCD patients in terms of the density of the platelet 5-HT transporter,

Nov 3, 2024 · 3,986 followers View post →
1967-516
@Elogio_de_la_ · X

Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love https://t.co/8kSgQ4TACS 「生化学的には、熱烈な恋愛と強迫神経症の疾患とは区別できないようだ」という発見よりも、ダニング＝クルーガー効果がイグノーベル賞論文(?)であることに驚き https://t.co/DvbAWefb6B https://t.co/teV9sO01xs

Nov 3, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 3,986 followers View post →
yamamormot
@yamamormot · X

@vaiencechannel 論文置いておきます。MARAZZITI, D., AKISKAL, H. S., ROSSI, A., & CASSANO, G. B. (1999). Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love. Psychological Medicine, 29(3), 741–745. doi:10.1017/S0033291798007946 https://t.co/fsKmG2xj1i

Nov 3, 2024 · 10 likes · 810 followers View post →
13番目のキリエ
@kyrie_13th · X

RT @uranus_2: 「生化学的には、熱烈な恋愛と強迫神経症の疾患とは区別できないかもしれない」という研究。2000年にイグノーベル賞(化学賞)を受賞している。http://t.co/LyzhU6Bu9a

Nov 3, 2024 · 13 shares · 105 followers View post →
闇鍋ナッツ
@caramel_nuts · X

RT @uranus_2: 「生化学的には、熱烈な恋愛と強迫神経症の疾患とは区別できないかもしれない」という研究。2000年にイグノーベル賞(化学賞)を受賞している。http://t.co/LyzhU6Bu9a

Nov 3, 2024 · 13 shares · 763 followers View post →
トモ
@ren_kikka · X

RT @uranus_2: 「生化学的には、熱烈な恋愛と強迫神経症の疾患とは区別できないかもしれない」という研究。2000年にイグノーベル賞(化学賞)を受賞している。http://t.co/LyzhU6Bu9a

Nov 3, 2024 · 13 shares · 289 followers View post →
かわいいは鈍器
@arekorekawaii · X

RT @uranus_2: 「生化学的には、熱烈な恋愛と強迫神経症の疾患とは区別できないかもしれない」という研究。2000年にイグノーベル賞(化学賞)を受賞している。http://t.co/LyzhU6Bu9a

Nov 3, 2024 · 13 shares · 82,053 followers View post →
Aizaz
@AizazReal · X

14. Love is like OCD Biochemically, romantic love is almost indistinguishable from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. This was confirmed by a study titled ‘Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love’ published in Psychological Medicine conducted by https://t.co/DdTxPemmDt

Jun 1, 2024 · 4,235 followers View post →
Phren fries
@asenacide · X

@GoldmeierDavid @Chitailova Behold, IgNobel Award recipient of 2000 for crazy stupid chemical research (full .pdf on ResearchGate): https://t.co/2TyvO0dZZ8

Apr 4, 2024 · 97 followers View post →
Joe B
@JBianco215 · X

Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love https://t.co/Su3uG8G4De People in the early romantic phase of a love relationship matched OCD patients in the density of the platelet 5-HT (serotonin) transporter, which was significantly lower versus controls.

Aug 18, 2023 · 2 likes · 4,591 followers View post →
札幌探偵
@celsior40004300 · X

RT @aruma_zirou: ２０００年度イグノーベル賞 熱烈な恋愛と強迫神経症の疾患とは区別できない https://t.co/QIS2wXToWL

Jul 1, 2023 · 14 shares · 648 followers View post →
Jaf
@jafeht · X

RT @azogueray: #CuriosidaddelDia En 1999 se publicó un estudio que mostraba que bioquímicamente el amor romántico es indistinguible de los…

Feb 14, 2023 · 1 share · 246 followers View post →
Víctor et al.
@azogueray · X

#CuriosidaddelDia En 1999 se publicó un estudio que mostraba que bioquímicamente el amor romántico es indistinguible de los trastornos obsesivo-compulsivos. «Alteration of the platelet serotonin transporter in romantic love» Marazziti D et al, Psych. Medicine, 29: 741-745, 1999 https://t.co/svAQvdYyDk

Feb 14, 2023 · 9 likes · 1 share · 5,259 followers View post →
no longer active
@mahaegigs · X

RT @picebooverse: source: https://t.co/OncrxLoasF

Feb 7, 2023 · 14 shares · 67 followers View post →
Haggen
@xFolkvangr · X

RT @juanikus_: https://t.co/ybgT5tChQx https://t.co/CvfTkaZkN8 https://t.co/Gp00zvHq5M El amor es una enfermedad mental, no lo digo yo, lo…

Dec 31, 2022 · 1 share · 285 followers View post →
Juanikus
@juanikus_ · X

https://t.co/ybgT5tChQx https://t.co/CvfTkaZkN8 https://t.co/Gp00zvHq5M El amor es una enfermedad mental, no lo digo yo, lo dice la ciencia.

Dec 31, 2022 · 1 share · 33 followers View post →
Dr Horsey Undead McHorseface ⚫
@IncitatusAlpha · X

@_captainscience @FryRsquared Also the fact that love is biochemically indistinguishable from OCD... https://t.co/dnF8UJUWXa

Dec 14, 2022 · 1 like · 1,105 followers View post →
belleamelove
@belleamelove · X

RT @picebooverse: source: https://t.co/OncrxLoasF

Feb 1, 2022 · 14 shares · 302 followers View post →
( ꈍᴗꈍ)
@Twayrosee · X

RT @picebooverse: source: https://t.co/OncrxLoasF

Feb 1, 2022 · 14 shares View post →
Alley
@cbhnxmh · X

RT @picebooverse: source: https://t.co/OncrxLoasF

Jan 31, 2022 · 14 shares · 190 followers View post →
milee.
@picebooverse · X

source: https://t.co/OncrxLoasF

Jan 31, 2022 · 319 likes · 14 shares · 11,420 followers View post →
Bouteflikov™
@Bouteflikov · X

Source : https://t.co/CXjkjW3nng (eng)

Aug 23, 2021 · 4 likes · 211,667 followers View post →
A. Patrick Jonas, MD
@apjonas · X

RT @cassie_complex: @eboygrandma Check your platelet serotonin of course https://t.co/rCoztjQEDX

May 5, 2021 · 1 share · 3,073 followers View post →
Felix Ochieng
@felixochiengjr · X

RT @capmhkenya: People in early stages of Romantic relationships exhibit the same characteristics as of someone with OCD- #love #stigma #No…

Apr 12, 2021 · 1 share · 1,008 followers View post →
Coalition Action for Preventive Mental Health
@capmhkenya · X

People in early stages of Romantic relationships exhibit the same characteristics as of someone with OCD- #love #stigma #NormalPeople #Happiness #mentalhealth https://t.co/fzFIFGg7Gg

Apr 12, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 4,720 followers View post →