the statistical probability of love at first sight

Still, this initial stage of intense attraction can be thought of as a type of love itself. 'This can make our boundaries fall away, and can mean that we idealise the person in front of us and see them as amazing,' Cate adds, which might also make us feel like we're in love. Phenethylamine essentially functions like a natural amphetamine, making us feel 'high' on love, and it also triggers the release of two neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine, which can increase our heart rate and make us feel good. 'We can be attracted to someone and feel like we have fallen immediately in love, but this is often down to the chemicals that our brain is releasing, like phenethylamine,' Cate explains.

For example, this can be to do with pheromones (chemical messengers released by the body that can make us attracted to the other person), or it might be that the person reminds you of something or someone from your childhood that feels familiar, Cate adds. There are various reasons why we might be instantly attracted to someone, and this can feel like immediately falling in love, says Cate. It is possible to feel some kind of 'love at first sight', though that depends on the type of love you're experiencing, says COSRT-accredited psychosexual and relationships therapist Cate Mackenzie.

Love at first sight: it's the plot of basically every romantic comedy ever, and also a whole bunch of new TV shows (hello, Married At First Sight), but is it really possible to fall in love with someone the moment you see them? We've probably all spotted someone we fancy really badly the first time we clap eyes on them, but how can you tell if it's love at first sight or just plain old lust? We spoke to the experts to find out whether that elusive 'love at first sight' feeling actually exists.

The statistical probability of love at first sight