Heart and Love: A Scientific Perspective on Connection and Philippine Family Law

Love is often described as an intangible force, an emotional connection that deeply binds individuals. It is associated with the feeling that we experience. While it may seem abstract, scientific findings suggest that love has a measurable, physical presence. The human heart generates an electromagnetic field, which can be quantified and measured. This field provides insights into how our emotions, including love, can influence not only our own well-being but also the people around us.

On this Valentine’s Day, as we celebrate relationships with gestures of affection, science offers a deeper perspective on love. Researchers have discovered that the electromagnetic field generated by the heart can reflect emotional states like love and empathy. While love itself is not the electromagnetic field, its presence and intensity can be observed through changes in this field, offering a more grounded understanding of human connection.

This finding opens new possibilities for how we view relationships, especially in romantic and familial contexts. It can also aid us in how we approach marriage, parenthood, and dispute resolution under Philippine Family Law where family is not just a social unit but a legal foundation.

The Heart’s Electromagnetic Field: Love in Action

              It is a common misconception that the brain is the command center of the human body. The heart, however, produces the strongest electromagnetic field in the body—about 60 times greater in amplitude than the brain’s field.[1] This toroidal (donut-shaped) field extends several feet around a person, influencing not only their emotions but also those around them.

              The synchronization of heart rhythms between individuals is particularly notable. When people experience deep emotional connections—whether through love, empathy, or shared understanding, their heart rhythms often align even without physical contact.[2] 

              This discovery moves beyond the poetic notion of love and suggests that relationships are grounded in biological processes. Human connection is not just emotional, but also physical.

Why This Matters for Family Bonds in the Philippines

Family is the foundation of society that which is protected and cherished by public policy in the Philippines. The law recognizes the significance of familial relationships in both social and legal contexts. Given that the law places immense value on preserving family unity, understanding the biological and emotional connections between family members could reshape our approach to marriage, separation, and parental authority.

For example, the Supreme Court has recently implemented the rule[3] that mandates mediation in family law disputes. This includes cases involving the declaration of absolute nullity of void marriages and annulment of voidable marriages, underscoring the idea that marriage is not merely a contract but a deeply emotional and physiological bond. Research on heart synchronization supports this view—suggesting that couples who can emotionally connect and sync their heart rhythms are more likely to find effective solutions and maintain stronger bonds.

The bond between parent and child is similarly rooted in biological connection. Studies have shown that a mother’s brainwaves can synchronize with her baby’s heartbeat when in proximity, further deepening the emotional and physiological bond.[4] The law on Patria Potestas (parental authority) reflects this inherent bond, emphasizing the unbreakable connection between parent and child.[5] This biological synchronization aligns with the legal understanding that parental rights and duties are non-transferable except under extraordinary circumstances.

Healing Family Disputes with Science

Aspects of family law deal with conflicts, such as, but not limited to, cases of annulment, custody disputes, or legal separation proceedings. Here, the science of heart coherence could offer an innovative approach to conflict resolution. There is heart coherence when the heart rhythms become smooth and synchronized.

Research indicates that emotional regulation, achieved through heart coherence practices such as coherent breathing; heart-focused breathing; gratitude practice; positive emotion focus; and heart coherence meditation, can enhance communication, reduce stress, and foster more empathetic interactions.[6]

By integrating heart coherence techniques into legal practice, such as during mediation or court-ordered reconciliation, family members could approach disputes from a place of emotional balance and understanding. These techniques can help families find common ground and move beyond emotional barriers, leading to more amicable resolutions.

Further, these techniques can complement existing legal processes where reconciliation is a priority before separation or annulment. Creating an environment that fosters emotional healing is as integral to the process as legal solutions.

The Heart Knows Best

The science behind the heart’s electromagnetic field not only deepens our understanding of love as a physical phenomenon but also offers a fresh lens through which to view relationships and family dynamics. In the context of marriage, parenthood, and family law, this insight can transform how we approach conflicts and decision-making. By recognizing the biological and emotional connections between family members, we can enhance our legal practices, fostering environments where empathy, emotional regulation, and unity play crucial roles. Integrating the science of heart coherence into family law can ultimately lead to more effective and compassionate resolutions, ensuring that legal solutions also honor the emotional bonds that sustain family life.

References:

[1] Bazanova, O. M., & Aftanas, L. I. (2010). Individual EEG alpha activity analysis for enhancement neurofeedback efficiency: Two case studies. Journal of Neurotherapy, 14(3), 244–253.

[2] Kreibig, S. D. (2010). Autonomic nervous system activity in emotion: A review. Biological Psychology, 84(3), 394–421.

[3] Supreme Court of the Philippines. (2024). A.M. No. 24-02-06-SC: Rule on Family Mediation.

[4] Id.

[5] Family Code of the Philippines, Executive Order No. 209 (1987).

[6] Shaffer, F., & Ginsberg, J. P. (2017). An overview of heart rate variability metrics and norms. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 258.