Heartbreak: Why It Feels So Achy Breaky

Getting your heart broken sucks — and for some of us, it even feels physically painful. So why does it hurt so bad? And what can science tell us about how to get over it? We dive into all of this with neuroscientist Prof. Lucy Brown.

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsHeartbreak

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00)Heartbreak sucks

(07:17)What heartbreak does in the brain

(12:14)What heartbreak does in the body

(15:07)How to get over heartbreak

The episode does mention abuse. Here are some resources if you’re struggling to move on from abuse:

• https://resources.byspotify.com/
• https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/why-am-i-struggling-to-move-on-after-abuse/

This episode was produced by Michelle Dang, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Rose Rimler, Meryl Horn, Kaitlyn Sawrey and Lexi Krupp. Editing by Caitlin Kenney and Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Diane Kelly and Erica Akiko Howard. Mix and sound design by Peter Leonard and Bobby Lord. Music written by Peter Leonard, Bumi Hidaka, Emma Munger, and Bobby Lord. A huge thanks to all the scientists we got in touch with for this episode, including Professor Larry Young, Professor Tiffany Field, Professor Ethan Kross, Professor Sandra Langeslag, and Professor Naomi Eisenberger. Thanks to Lori Segal. A special thanks to the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.

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