Couples' Hearts Beat As One

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Researchers from the University of California, Davis have completed a study that shows that couples breathe at the same rate and have synchronized heart beats. In the study, couples were connected to heart rate and respiration monitors as they went through several tasks without touching or speaking to each other. The couples' heart and breathing rates tended to be synchronized, indicating that romantically involved couples are linked on a physiological level.

According to researcher Emilio Ferrer, "We've seen a lot of research that one person in a relationship can experience what the other person is experiencing emotionally, but this study shows they also share experiences at a physiological level." The researchers found that women tended to adjust their heart and respiration rates to their male partner more so than the men to their female partner. They believe this may indicate that women have a very strong link to their mate.

Learn more about this study, see:

• Lovers' Hearts Beat in Sync (Science Daily)