Why the brain's hardwired response to loss causes physical pain
In short: Explore the biological enigma of grief with Professor Robin May. This lecture examines why grief is an evolutionary carry-over from childhood, the physiological impact of bereavement on the human body, and the neurological mechanisms behind romantic infatuation.
Professor Robin May investigates why grief, an emotion that causes mental paralysis and intense turmoil, persists despite its lack of obvious evolutionary advantage. One theory suggests grief is a leftover mechanism from infancy, where crying serves to reunite lost children with caregivers. As adults, we may simply be unable to deactivate this instinct when loss becomes permanent.
The physical toll of bereavement is profound. Following a loss, cortisol levels typically remain elevated for at least six months, impacting sleep, immune function, and heart rate. This physiological stress is linked to a more than 10% increase in mortality for grieving individuals compared to controls. The discussion also covers the neurology of love, including why the amygdala shuts down during the 12–18 month honeymoon phase and how heartbreak mimics drug withdrawal.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Science behind Love and Grief | Gresham College Podcast with Robin May
- Also: Why Do We Grieve?
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