Know 15 minutes into a conversation, 80% of the time, you can say anything you want. (Been playing this game for years.) Meeting people is easy; meeting people you don't feel the need to fake a phone call to get away from is another matter.
Watch for that 20% that is still listening. These people have some interest or something going on and are worth connecting with.
ETA: I missed the question. Side effects? Real connection makes things confusing. When you really truly passionately love someone, limits are hard to define. It's hard for people to own up to the depth of their feelings, even in a friendship.