How to Be in Love: Dr Tara Swart: ‘Good chemistry’ and the science behind being in love

What rules the way we love: our heads or our hearts? And are romantic feelings little more than a set of chemical reactions in our brain? Rylan is joined by neuroscientist and best-selling author, Dr Tara Swart, to uncover the science behind being in love. Dr Tara explains how our ability to love has been embedded in our brains since the days of the cavemen and reveals how hormones influence the different ways men and women bond in relationships.

As a self-admitted lover of fragrance, Rylan also learns from Dr Tara about how his penchant for perfume may be holding him back from connecting with potential partners, and the role that scent and smell plays in our ability to form ties with romantic interests.

How to Be in Love – Rylan has loved passionately, lost messily, and is now ready to rediscover what ‘love’ is. But does he need to look at love differently before he can find it again?

Host: Rylan Assistant Producer: Ben Johns Producer: Katie Grant Production Manager: Francesca Bassett Executive Producer: Arron Fellows Music: Miguel d'Oliveira Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Mindhouse production for BBC Sounds