Researchers from Aalto University in Finland carried out a study that identified twenty-seven distinct types of love. The key finding is that most kinds of love originate in the brain, yet some experiences manifest as sensations in various parts of the body. The work was shared with the scientific community through a prominent science publication.
The study recruited hundreds of Finnish volunteers who participated in an online survey. Respondents were asked to describe how each of the twenty-seven love types felt physically. The range included parental love, love for a higher power, romantic love, sexual love, friendship, love for strangers, love of nature, and self-love, among others. Participants then colored a digital silhouette of the human body to reflect where they felt the associated emotions. The results showed that maternal love tends to be felt most strongly in the chest area, while romantic and passionate love often involve the whole body. In contrast, love directed toward a higher power and parental love tended to be centered in the brain, with firmer, localized sensations elsewhere rarely noted.
Beyond bodily sensations, participants reported that each of the twenty-seven love types also occupied the mind. The strongest experiences, including romantic and sexual love, were described as permeating the entire body, indicating widespread physiological involvement during these feelings.
Biologists also noted that the so-called love hormone can influence heart health, including potential benefits after a heart event. This line of inquiry aligns with broader research into how emotional and social factors interact with cardiovascular function, suggesting that emotional well-being and social bonds may play a role in physical health outcomes.