This is bizarre - a brain chemical could spur love sickness. At least, according to a study on a prairie vole.

Read to the end, and it sounds like the set-up for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

It is also comforting, though, to read about why I miss my lady so when she goes out of town on business. Even in this hyper-connected world, where me and my girlfriend text and email all the time, there are moments on a business trip (like, bedtime) when you really miss the warm body and the pretty smile.

Now I know why - a brain chemical is causing it.

It's interesting to me how this same chemical could also cause couples to stay together, long after they should have split. I'd rather just miss my lady on a business trip than worry about that ...