Is the pain of heartbreak actually physical pain?
In short: Professor Glenn D. Wilson explores the biological overlap between romantic obsession and mental illness, examining how the brain processes rejection and the evolutionary purpose behind our irrational impulses.
The lecture investigates whether love is a form of madness designed by evolution to bypass rational controls and ensure reproduction. It examines pathological states such as erotomania, extreme jealousy, and stalking, alongside the physiological symptoms of heartbreak.
Research highlights the profound biological impact of romance: Italian studies found serotonin deficits in those 'in love' similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder, while brain scans show that unrequited love activates the same regions as physical pain. Furthermore, the neural pathways activated by rejection mirror those seen in cocaine addiction, involving areas like the ventral tegmental area and the orbitofrontal cortex.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Lovesickness - Professor Glenn D. Wilson
- Also: Lovesickness
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-lovesickness-professor-glenn-d-wilson.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Psychology · More in Ideas & Philosophy · Latest · A–Z · All topics
