I was shopping in a mall last weekend when I came across a modern day product of ancient potions: bath bombs. These are powdered soaps, salts, glitter, and foam packed into dense shapes that dissolve in the bathtub. Along with this magical experience of color and dazzling colors comes all sorts of marketable feelings, most notably love. There are bath bombs for love and romance, knowledge, peace, calmness and more. I can't help but be reminded of love potions. I have noticed that many other products market the same thing in teas, perfumes, and other cosmetics. Humans love good feelings, and products want to capitalize on that. However true these love potions and concoctions are to producing those feelings, it at least tricks us into buying it. 

One thing I always remembered from reading Harry Potter as a child was one potion in particular. The potion was supposed to smell like the favorite things of person that smells it. So the potion smells differently to each person. Mine would smell like coffee in the morning, rain on concrete, and a warm blanket that has just been washed. These smells can elicit strong memories and feelings of peace and love. I think maybe that is one of the more innocent origins of love potions: smells and tastes that remind us of our favorite things. However, the other use/interpretation of love potions is more problematic. Obviously, forcing someone to fall in love with you has strong moral complications. 

Although the love potion overrides consent, the desire to be loved is such a normal human experience. That's why the obsession with love potions took off in the first place. Love can drive humans to do crazy things, but a lack of love can drive humans to do even worse things.