Jun 16, 2025
Sandra Langeslag, associate professor in UMSL’s Department of Psychological Sciences, has spent nearly 20 years studying the neurocognition of romantic love. Speaking at the kickoff of the UMSL Lecture Series at City Foundry, she discussed her recent work comparing romantic love to addiction. Langeslag explained how craving and liking function differently in love and addiction, and shared examples illustrating that romantic love often involves more intense craving, attention, and pleasantness than addictions like chocolate or vaping. Her ongoing studies measure attention and emotional response toward participants' beloveds versus chocolate and vaping cues.
One study involves people in love for four years who also crave chocolate, while another includes participants who vape daily and have been in love for six years. In both studies, participants showed stronger craving and attention toward their beloveds than toward chocolate or vaping. Langeslag emphasized the need for more direct comparison data to further explore these similarities. Her presentation concluded with a Q&A, and the UMSL Lecture Series continues on June 18 and 25 with presentations from Anita Manion and Scott Morris at Alamo Drafthouse.
