Researchers in a study involving a group of lovelorn Stanford undergraduates have discovered romantic love to be a natural analgesic.

Distracted by thoughts of the loved one does have a pain killing effect, however, the ‘head over heels’ feeling researchers found activated the same dopamine oriented centres of the brain tuning in to illicit drugs like cocaine.

According to Dr. Sean Mackey, senior author of a paper published online in PLoS One, these pain-relieving systems are linked to reward systems, with high octane love engaging them and similar systems involved in addiction.

Mackey, who is also the Chief of the Pain Management Division at Stanford University School of Medicine adds, this may offer some insight into potential ways of probing further and translating into treatment for pain.

For the easiest study, in a recruitment process that only took a few days, 15 Stanford undergrads who were ‘wildly, recklessly in love’, were recruited, who within hours were begging to be studies, as being in love means, you want the world to know.

Seven men and eight women who were totally besotted and in the newly smitten phase of their relationships, came to be studied carrying a photograph of the one they loved.

Researchers flashed the picture of their beloved, even while they inflicted pain with a handheld thermal probe. As a control, in a form of distraction, participants were asked to name every sport not involving a ball, while the probe was activated.

They were pleasantly surprised to find both love and distraction reduced pain equally.

The pain relief afforded by viewing the picture of their beloved seemed specific to that act, as pain levels did not recede, when participants were asked to look at a picture of an equally attractive and familiar acquaintance.

Functional MRI imaging of the participants’ brain also showed brain systems involved in distraction were different from the ones involved in love. In distraction, researchers found a much higher level of the newer corticol systems involved with classic attention and distraction.

On the other hand, ‘in love, very primitive, reptilian brain systems that are classically involved with the reward systems that motivate our basic drives were involved’.

Mackey believes, even though the students in this study were at an age when love is often in the air, the results could easily translate to older people.

This is substantial evidence for those who believe, love conquers all, as being in love actually dulls pain perception, working differently from painkillers.