There May Be Real Science Behind The Chemistry Of Love
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There may be more science behind the chemistry of love and it could help you determine if that certain someone is Mr. Right or Ms. Right.
We spoke with two couples. One has been together for a lifetime and the other is newly engaged.
Chelsea and Brian met through friends.
Chelsea said, "We knew fairly early we had something special."
The second couple, Max and Donna, met in high school and they married seven years later.
Donna recalls, "July was 32 years."
What makes these relationships work?
A company called "Instant Chemistry" says the answer lies in your DNA. They test personality traits and DNA with a saliva sample to see how compatible you are with your mate.
Brian said, "It's interesting but I'm not…now if this comes back as incompatible. The wedding's off, as Chelsea replies with a laugh, "Brian--it's not funny."
By measuring serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin, the company says it can tell things like who's impulsive, empathetic, and that reveals how people react to emotional or stressful situations.
Joel Block, who we interviewed via skype, is the physiologist with instant chemistry and he says, "basically what we're looking at is the genetic and psychological factors can make a good match and even if it doesn't make a good match we can use that kind of information so that you can deal with each other in a more effective way."
What does Block say to skeptics who say there's no proof, no science to show this works?
He says, "Those skeptics haven't read the research….. and there's a list of peer reviewed research, peer reviewed as in these are things there are legitimate. It's not some junk research."
As far as Donna and Max, the result of the "DNA compatibility test KTVT," shows an 80 percent compatibility score.
Donna says, "That's probably why we've been together for so long."
And for Chelsea and Brian?
Brian says, "The wedding's on thankfully… we got a 77 percent!"
However, the results weren't perfect - the couples say the test missed on a few personality traits.
Brian says, "It said…I was a worry and I'm a pretty laid back guy."
Max said, "I don't think I experience a lot of stress necessarily."
In the end, can your personality really be tested and will love last forever? Who knows? But Instant Chemistry says for $149, it can analyze your DNA compatibility.
