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- 💊 A large-scale study found that SSRIs do not reduce love intensity, commitment, or obsessive thinking about a romantic partner.
- 🧠 Previous concerns about serotonin’s role in love were largely theoretical and not supported by empirical research.
- ⚠️ Despite common assumptions, sexual frequency remained unchanged in SSRI users, though some may still experience side effects.
- 🔬 The study’s limitations include a young, primarily Western sample and lack of long-term tracking.
- ❤️ Findings suggest individuals can take SSRIs without fear of losing deep romantic feelings.
Do Antidepressants Affect Romantic Love?
Concerns that antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), might diminish romantic love have persisted for many years. However, recent research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders challenges this notion. A large-scale study found no significant differences in love intensity, obsessive thinking, commitment, or sexual frequency between individuals taking SSRIs and those who were not. This article explores how SSRIs work, the study’s findings, and what they mean for those taking antidepressants.
How SSRIs Affect Brain Chemistry
SSRIs are among the most commonly prescribed depression medications, influencing brain chemistry by increasing serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, emotional stability, and well-being. When people suffer from depression, serotonin levels are often lower, contributing to symptoms such as sadness, lack of motivation, and emotional numbness.
However, serotonin does more than regulate mood—it also plays a role in emotions like attachment and bonding. Neuroscientists have speculated for decades that increasing serotonin could blunt passionate love, dampening obsessive thoughts about a romantic partner and reducing the intensity of infatuation. These concerns stemmed from older research linking serotonin changes to shifts in behavior and emotional experiences.
Although some individuals have reported feeling emotionally “muted” while on SSRIs, concrete scientific evidence for an across-the-board reduction in romantic love has been lacking. The latest study aimed to put this theory to the test using real-world data.
The Study: Investigating Antidepressants and Romantic Love
A team of researchers, including Adam Bode from the Australian National University, set out to examine whether SSRIs truly impact romantic love. They analyzed responses from over 1,500 individuals who participated in the Romantic Love Survey 2022. The study specifically focused on 810 young adults (ages 18–30) who were in relationships lasting 23 months or fewer, ensuring they were in the early, passionate stages of love.
Participants answered detailed questions about their romantic experiences, covering areas such as:
- Love intensity – measured by the Passionate Love Scale, which assesses how strongly someone feels romantically involved.
- Obsessive thinking – tracking how frequently participants thought about their partner.
- Commitment levels – gauged using the Triangular Love Scale, a psychological framework for understanding romantic attachment.
- Sexual frequency – determining how often individuals engaged in sexual activity.
The participants also disclosed whether they were currently taking SSRIs, allowing researchers to compare those who were medicated with those who were not.
Key Findings: SSRIs Do Not Diminish Romantic Love
Contrary to concerns that SSRIs might blunt emotions, the study found no significant differences in romantic love measures between SSRI users and non-users.
- Love intensity remained equal between both groups. Despite concerns that SSRIs could mute passion, there was no evidence of reduced emotional depth in romantic relationships.
- Obsessive thinking was not altered by SSRI use. Participants taking antidepressants were just as likely as others to experience frequent, preoccupying thoughts about their loved ones.
- Commitment levels showed no difference. Whether on SSRIs or not, participants felt equally determined to stay in their relationships long-term.
- Sexual frequency remained unchanged. This was surprising, given that SSRIs are known to cause sexual side effects like reduced libido or difficulty reaching orgasm.
These findings contradict many of the previous assumptions, reassuring those who fear that taking antidepressants could impact their love life.
The Unexpected Findings on Sexual Frequency
One particularly surprising result was the lack of change in sexual frequency between SSRI users and non-users. While SSRIs are known to cause side effects such as:
- Lower libido
- Difficulty achieving orgasm
- Erectile dysfunction in men
…these physiological effects did not translate to people having sex less often.
This suggests that while some individuals may experience physiological challenges, their sexual relationships remain intact. Couples may adapt, use different strategies to maintain intimacy, or find that love and emotional connection override the physical side effects. Further research is needed to better understand how individuals navigate these challenges while taking antidepressants.
Debunking the Myth: The Role of Serotonin in Love
For years, concerns about SSRIs and romantic love were rooted in outdated neuroscience theories. One of the most famous claims came from researcher Helen Fisher. Over 25 years ago, Fisher proposed that serotonin helps fuel obsessive love—the kind of infatuation that preoccupies people in the early stages of a relationship. She speculated that increasing serotonin through SSRIs would suppress those passionate feelings, dulling romantic attraction.
However, modern neuroscience paints a more complex picture. Love is influenced by multiple neurochemicals, including oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. The latest study provides empirical evidence against Fisher’s speculation: SSRIs do not eliminate obsessive thinking about a partner. This suggests that serotonin is not the sole driver of love, confirming that healthy romance can thrive despite medication use.
Limitations of the Research
While this study provides compelling evidence, it does come with some limitations:
- Demographic bias – The sample consisted mainly of young adults from Western countries. It remains unclear whether the findings apply universally, particularly in older couples or different cultural settings.
- Short-term focus – The study only examined relationships within a 23-month period. Longer-term effects of SSRI use on love and commitment weren’t explored.
- Dosage variations – The research did not account for differences in medication dosage, type, or duration of SSRI use.
- Self-reported data – All findings rely on participant self-assessment, which may not fully capture complex psychological or emotional shifts.
Given these limitations, future longitudinal studies (tracking people over time) would provide even more insights into the long-term relationship effects of SSRIs.
What This Means for People on Antidepressants
For those taking depression medication, these findings bring reassuring news—SSRIs do not appear to dull love, passion, or commitment. If individuals experience emotional blunting or sexual side effects, they should consult with their doctor about potential adjustments. Possible options include:
- Lowering the SSRI dosage
- Switching to a different antidepressant with fewer sexual side effects
- Adding therapy or counseling for additional support
Rather than harming relationships, proper mental health treatment often strengthens connections by improving overall well-being.
The Future of Research on Love and Antidepressants
The Romantic Love Survey dataset is still being explored, and researchers may soon publish additional findings. Particularly interesting would be longitudinal studies that track individuals before and after starting SSRIs to observe how their romantic experiences evolve over time. Additionally, studies with a broader, more diverse population could help generalize these findings across different ages, cultural backgrounds, and relationship lengths.
No Evidence That SSRIs Kill Romantic Love
The belief that SSRIs suppress romantic love is not supported by modern research. Despite fears that antidepressants dull emotions, this study suggests that people on SSRIs experience love, passion, and commitment at the same intensity as non-users. While some may experience sexual side effects, these do not necessarily lead to decreased sexual activity.
Mental health treatment should not be viewed as a trade-off for deep emotional connection—on the contrary, it can play a vital role in fostering healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
FAQs
Do SSRIs negatively impact romantic love?
No, recent research found no significant differences in love intensity, commitment, or sexual frequency between those taking SSRIs and those who were not.
What does recent research say about the connection between antidepressants and love intensity?
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that SSRIs have no measurable impact on romantic love intensity.
How do SSRIs work in the brain, and why were they thought to affect love?
SSRIs increase serotonin levels to treat depression and anxiety. Some theorists believed this change could reduce passion and obsessive thinking about a loved one, but this study did not support that claim.
What aspects of romantic love were studied, and what were the findings?
Researchers examined love intensity, obsessive thinking, commitment, and sexual frequency—finding no significant differences between SSRI users and non-users.
Were there any surprising insights from the study?
Yes, despite known SSRI-related sexual dysfunction, sexual frequency in relationships remained unchanged among SSRI users.
Citations
Bode, A., Kowal, M., Aghedu, F. C., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2025). SSRI use is not associated with the intensity of romantic love, obsessive thinking about a loved one, commitment, or sexual frequency in a sample of young adults experiencing romantic love. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.01.103
