UC Berkeley Psychologist Dacher Keltner Defines Love as a Stress Reducer and Life Extender
UC Berkeley psychology professor Dacher Keltner posits that love is a fundamental human experience that significantly contributes to survival and well-being. Keltner defines love as a brief feeling of devotion and unique connection to people or things, which individuals are willing to sacrifice for. He highlights that strong social support, stemming from various forms of love—for friends, family, partners, and even nature—can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, and potentially add up to 10 years to one's life expectancy. Keltner emphasizes that while love manifests in diverse ways, from romantic to familial to a reverence for nature, its core function is to foster social bonds essential for human survival. He notes that science is increasingly understanding the neurophysiology of love, such as the role of oxytocin, and how it drives devotion and sacrifice within social species.
