We may no longer have to wonder why fools fall in love, thanks to science. In fact, we may be able to douse the flames of passion before they even ignite. This technology would make it possible for sufferers of unrequited love to take an antidote that will help their aching hearts heal.Neuroscientist Larry Young’s discovery of a chemical that enhances pair bonding in mouse-like voles may soon be available for human use. Young’s research, intended to improve the social skills of schizophrenics and the autistic, reveals that the hormone Oxytocin enhances feelings of trust and empathy.

Like Viagra for the heart, Oxytocin sets off a biochemical chain of events that induces females to love the one they’re with.

More importantly, Young admits the opposite effect can be achieved through reverse engineering. Cupid’s kryptonite has the capability of preventing the foolish decisions of misguided paramours.

If Oxytocin, also known as the hormone vasopressin, , can put the color back in faded marriages, just think what the remedy could do for toxic relationships.

Failed couples can break-up, take a pill and call it a day. Divorcing duos can chemically dial down lingering affections and faded remnants of the good years long past, and get back to singledom and sanity.

I could have saved myself a few years there when I was questioning if my marriage was salvageable. Where was this anti-love potion when we decided that we were going to ride out the rough patches, which in retrospect constituted most of the trip?

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not bitter, just practical. Though hardly a hopeless romantic, I have a deep appreciation for organic relationships based on love, respect and an occasional Merlot.

If this love hormone becomes a marketable-drug, it should be concocted to make it compatible with alcohol.

Beer goggles integrated with the chaos of the heart have been known to provoke impractical decisions. I can see the lobbyists for the Vegas quickie wedding trade imploring their state reps to save their little white chapels from extinction.

In all fairness, I do see some benefit of a love potion. I think it would be great for couples that have stable but zipless marriages to take on their second honeymoon. A guaranteed romantic vacation after many years of marriage would be a sweet reward for a lifetime of devotion.

But in the wrong hands, it could be the beginnings of a sham relationship.

She may not be your honey anymore after the hormone fades. And he might not be so mesmerizing once the chemical infatuation is gone-then what do you do?

Hopefully you haven’t already uttered your vows, thrown the bouquet and opened the gifts.