The Neurochemistry of Heartbreak: Unravelling the Complex Interplay of Brain Regions, Emotions and Neurotransmitters in Relationship Breakups

Romantic relationship represents one of the most intense forms of heartbreak social pain arising out of disintegration, often leading to prolonged emotional pain. Emotional evidence from neuroimaging studies has shown that the brain processes heartbreaking in ways that are attained by physical pain, especially the anterior cingulate cortex. This review synthesizes the current findings of how the intervention in the attachment system activates the overlapping nervous circuit responsible for the perception of pain, reduces the sensitivity to the reward, and increases stress reactions. There are central neurochemical changes for this process that include dopamine and oxytocin, two major neurotransmitters that regulate relationships, motivations and emotional regulation. We discuss personal variability in further sensitivity and recover from heartbreak, informing why some individuals experience deep psychological wounds. Understanding the neurobiology of heartbreak not only deepens our understanding of human attachment and social pain, but also has important implications for developing clinical intervention targeted to reduce emotional crisis.