The IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) declared 2011 International Year of Chemistry. Sci-Enza launched this event during the month of love with a public talk about “The Chemistry of Love”. The talk was presented by Dr. Joji Theron, who completed her honours in genetics and biochemistry at the University of Pretoria and is also qualified medical doctor.

On the 16th of February Dineo Makala, a plant pathologist and Sci-Enza National Youth Service Volunteer, opened the event by testing the love between two strangers in the audience using the love meter, one of Sci-Enza`s most popular exhibits. The vibrant and intelligent Dr. Joji confirmed that indeed there is chemistry in love. She explained that our hormones cause our hearts beat faster, our palms to get sweaty and our knees to go weak when we meet that 'special someone'.

She mentioned an interesting example that proves the role that chemicals play in attraction. A study conducted by scientists in a gentlemen's club on lap dancers (for those who are not familiar with this type of dancing, it is a form erotic dance, legal only in certain countries) indicated that hormone levels of the female dancers influenced the earnings that these ladies make. Women who were in the fertile stages of their menstrual cycle earned the most money of all the dancers. Interestingly the dancers who were on oral contraceptive pills, which mimic the first stage of pregnancy, earned so little they might as well stay at home.

Dr Joji gave a lot of examples of scientific studies to prove that love does not come from the heart but from the brain, in particular from a region called the limbic system. That is also the reason why some people always want to be in love, theirs brains get addicted to the hormones associated with being in love. Surprising, there is scientific proof of the well known song “Never make a pretty woman your wife. It is chemistry that causes men to be jealous, feel insecure and always want to check up on their woman.

The event was a great success with approximately 90 people attending the talk. With her knowledge of the chemistry of the human body and her good presentation skills, Dr Joji kept the whole crowd interested and blushing with the exciting science behind love.