A new dating trend is bringing optimism back into modern romance. Giovanna Smith, dating expert for luxury retirement brand Audley Villages, has introduced the term “jellyfishing” to describe the rush of new love that makes people feel young again.
The term takes inspiration from the natural world. Certain jellyfish species, such as Turritopsis dohrnii, can revert to an earlier life stage when under stress, a process known as transdifferentiation. First described in the 1980s, this transformation allows the jellyfish to renew itself repeatedly. While not truly immortal, it symbolises regeneration.
Smith explains that this idea mirrors the emotions of early romance. “Jellyfishing is when a new romance makes you revert to teenage-like behaviour and feelings: think giggling like a schoolgirl and staying up all night talking,” she says. “It’s called ‘jellyfishing’ because when jellyfish reach a certain age, they biologically start getting younger. Of course, it’s also due to that electric first touch feeling where sparks fly.”
For many people, especially those dating later in life, jellyfishing rekindles excitement. Smith adds: “From finding everything they say hilariously funny, to checking your phone non-stop and feeling a stomach flip when their name pops up, it’s natural to experience sensations you haven’t for years which is really exhilarating. ‘Jellyfishing’ celebrates that feeling of emotional youth and is particularly powerful for people dating in later life, who might have doubted they’d ever feel that way again.”
Unlike negative dating trends such as ghosting or breadcrumbing, jellyfishing celebrates positivity and connection at a time when many people feel disillusioned by online dating and its mental health effects.
The science behind jellyfishing
Falling in love sets off a powerful chemical chain reaction in the brain. Research from Harvard Medical School shows that dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to reward, floods the brain’s pleasure centres when people experience romantic attraction. This is the same system that activates when achieving a goal or winning a prize.
Cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, also rises during this period, creating physical signs of infatuation such as a racing heart and flushed cheeks. A University of California, San Francisco study published in Science explains that this cortisol surge can lower serotonin levels, which helps explain why early love often feels obsessive.
As a relationship deepens, oxytocin (known as the “love hormone”) strengthens emotional bonds and promotes feelings of calm and security. The National Institutes of Health has shown its role in pair bonding and trust, similar to how it functions in prairie voles. These chemicals together create the teenage-like intensity that Smith describes. “So, there’s a lot going on in the body but, while all-encompassing, it’s pleasurable,” she says. “This can leave infatuated people feeling just like they did when they were teenagers.”
Love and renewal
Beyond fleeting emotions, love has measurable effects on health and vitality. “Love really can make us feel younger,” says Smith. “When caring deeply for someone, you might find you have more energy and motivation. You’ll likely feel happier and more optimistic. A lust for life can hugely boost vitality. Having a deeper sense of purpose can also counteract ageing.”
Studies support her view. Research from the University of Wollongong links romantic love with improved quality of life, lower depression, and stronger social connections. A 2019 study on women found that oxytocin can enhance immune defences, offsetting the impact of stress.
Romance also benefits the skin. Dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin can increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and improve collagen production. Smith notes: “A happy relationship can even increase blood flow to the skin, delivering nutrients and oxygen that give you a youthful glow. Those feel-good hormones like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin can also repair your complexion. Stress won’t affect you in the same way, which is also kind to your skin.”
For residents of Audley Villages and other older daters, jellyfishing is a reminder that emotional connection remains possible at any age. With dating apps such as Bumble seeing a rise in over-50s users, this trend encourages optimism. “Falling for someone can feel scary in the best way,” Smith concludes. “Tune into how your body responds and feed those happy hormones, whatever your age.”
