From Goat Blood to Butterflies: The Bloody History and Brain Chemistry of Love

Valentine’s Day didn’t start with hearts and chocolates—it started with blood, sacrifice, and a whole lot of chaos. In this episode of Smart Bites — learning in small digestible bites, Moonie admits she’s never quite trusted Valentine’s Day… and history explains why. From ancient Roman fertility rites and martyred saints to modern neuroscience, we explore how humans keep turning violence and fear into romance. Then we look inside the brain, where dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin reveal that love is less magic and more a well-dressed chemical riot—something our grandmothers understood long before science put names to it. A thoughtful, funny, and slightly dark look at what love really is—and why it’s never been simple. 🎙️ Hosted by Moonie 📚 Sources: History.com, Encyclopedia Britannica, NIH, Scientific American Stay curious, keep learning, and be blessed.