3 Things You Must Know Before You Get Hitched

When it comes to a healthy relationship, some biological facts can help you build one. Here's what to know -- in addition to, say, the other person's full name -- before you get hitched:

1. Love is all chemicals. When you're in love, your brain pumps out the love-potion ingredient dopamine (the addictive substance released when you encounter sugar, sleep, thirst, and tobacco) and increases the release of serotonin, the euphoria hormone. You also get a surge of the hormone oxytocin, which promotes a feeling of togetherness. The trouble? You develop a tolerance to dopamine over time, and the chemical tide that drives humans to stick together starts to recede as well. Relationships can lose some of their luster, which is why they need to move from being purely romantic to a deeper level of lifelong bonding.


2. Tears are good. When he or she pops the question, go ahead and tear up. It’s good for you. Emotional tears do more than keep the Kleenex folks in business. They also carry stress hormones and are a way of getting rid of them.


3. Till death do you part . . . and it will probably be awhile. When it comes to longevity, marriage helps you, especially if you're male. It can reduce guys' risk of an early death by as much as 30%; women's risk by 20%. Why? Men need confidants; women already have them. But for both, less risky behaviors follow marriage (Tiger may be an exception). Guys report losing the time used for risky behaviors to "honey do" lists; women lose it to writing such lists.