- The Brain Blooms Newsletter
- Posts
- Sending Love
Sending Love
Exploring the neuroscience that brings us together
Dr. Lana Ruvolo Grasser Winters aka "Dr. Ruvvy" & Naga Alyamani
February 11, 2026
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We here at the Ruvvy Resilience Lab want to wish you a happy Valentine’s day—whether you are celebrating the love of partners, caregivers, children, family members, friends, or colleagues, we hope you take some time today to give someone a hug and tell them how much they mean to you.
A special shoutout to Dr. Ruvvy’s husband Sterling, who is an almost-Valentine’s birthday and will celebrate his day this Sunday. We also want to send warm wishes to our lab manager, Ujala Janjua, who will be celebrating love with her engagement this weekend!
Love on the Brain
Neuroscientist Larry Zweifel says that “love is the result of chemical changes that happen in the brain”. For example, neurotransmitters—chemical messengers of the brain—like dopamine and serotonin motivate us to seek out meaningful connections with other people. When those connections are positive ones, we feel a sense of reward for engaging in that social behavior, and we are motivated to seek out more meaningful connections and build on the ones we have formed. These neurotransmitters hardwire our relationships!
Another neurotransmitter called oxytocin helps us to form bonds with one another. When a new mom gives birth, holds her baby for the first time, and feeds her baby, release of oxytocin helps mom and baby to bond with one another.
Other mammals, like prairie voles, also produce the neurotransmitter oxytocin, which helps them to form lifelong pair bonds.
Love Yourself
Valentine’s day is a great reminder for us to express our love for all the wonderful people in our circles who make our lives so special.
It’s also important to remember the importance of self-love!
Take time for yourself this Valentine’s day to do an activity you enjoy, treat yourself to your favorite food, or re-read your favorite book. You deserve it!
Need some support in your self-love journey? Check out our Guided Exercise series on our YouTube channel, with meditation and breathing exercises to show your nervous system some love and relaxation. Stay resilient!
The Greenhouse of the Mind:
Resources to Help You Bloom
Second Sundays Art Therapy Group 🎨 Join Art Therapist Amelia McGraw every second Sunday in 2026 at Inspired Healing in Royal Oak. This welcoming, in-person group, offers a relaxing space to express yourself through painting, collage, sculpting, and more. Take time to unwind, connect, and practice self-care in a supportive community. Learn more and see dates here: https://tinyurl.com/425zsrxc
Join us for Brain Day in Detroit on March 14, 2026, from 11 AM–4 PM at the Michigan Science Center (5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202)! Hosted by WSU neuroscientists, this fun, family-friendly event includes hands-on activities, cool brain displays, creative crafts, and a chance to meet and chat with real scientists. Get your tickets at www.mi-sci.org or call (313) 577-8400.
Help Support Science Content & Communication
Our team is so excited to get the word out to the people we serve and inform for FREE … and your support will allow us to put more resources and energy into doing precisely that.
Your donations help fund the creation of content that translates our research into practice.
Consider supporting our outreach efforts:
