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Update Date: 2010/08/30 10:04
By Chuang Ruei-meng
When lovers break up, some may feel hurt and try to salvage the relationship, while others might choose to walk away gracefully. However, according to a recent U.S. study, the brain's reaction to the pain of a breakup is similar to that of drug addiction, which is why the parties involved often experience intense suffering.
Researchers from Stony Brook University in New York invited 15 college students who had recently gone through a breakup to participate in an experiment. These students were still emotionally affected by the breakup and hoped for a chance to reconcile. The researchers first asked them to view photos of their ex-partners, then distracted them with a math questionnaire before showing them photos of other people.
When the participants looked at pictures of their former lovers, two brain regions became particularly active: the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is associated with pleasure, reward, and feelings of love, and the nucleus accumbens, which is linked to addiction.
Researcher Arthur Aron stated, "Previous studies have already suggested that the experience of romantic love resembles drug addiction. This study further reveals that the reaction to a breakup is also akin to drug withdrawal, something no one can control." He explained that after a breakup or heartbreak, emotions such as pain or anger naturally arise. Therefore, the researchers hope that, in addition to uncovering the reasons behind post-breakup suffering, these findings can also assist scientists in better supporting individuals struggling with drug addiction.
The study also confirmed the saying that "time heals all wounds." Participants who were re-examined after some time showed reduced activity in the brain regions responsible for "emotional and relational connections" when viewing photos of their ex-partners again.
The findings were published in the *Journal of Neurophysiology*.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……rl/ d/ a/ 100830/ 115/ 2c1qf. html
Study: Heartbreak Feels Like Withdrawal
By Chuang Ruei-meng
When lovers break up, some may feel hurt and try to salvage the relationship, while others might choose to walk away gracefully. However, according to a recent U.S. study, the brain's reaction to the pain of a breakup is similar to that of drug addiction, which is why the parties involved often experience intense suffering.
Researchers from Stony Brook University in New York invited 15 college students who had recently gone through a breakup to participate in an experiment. These students were still emotionally affected by the breakup and hoped for a chance to reconcile. The researchers first asked them to view photos of their ex-partners, then distracted them with a math questionnaire before showing them photos of other people.
When the participants looked at pictures of their former lovers, two brain regions became particularly active: the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is associated with pleasure, reward, and feelings of love, and the nucleus accumbens, which is linked to addiction.
Researcher Arthur Aron stated, "Previous studies have already suggested that the experience of romantic love resembles drug addiction. This study further reveals that the reaction to a breakup is also akin to drug withdrawal, something no one can control." He explained that after a breakup or heartbreak, emotions such as pain or anger naturally arise. Therefore, the researchers hope that, in addition to uncovering the reasons behind post-breakup suffering, these findings can also assist scientists in better supporting individuals struggling with drug addiction.
The study also confirmed the saying that "time heals all wounds." Participants who were re-examined after some time showed reduced activity in the brain regions responsible for "emotional and relational connections" when viewing photos of their ex-partners again.
The findings were published in the *Journal of Neurophysiology*.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……rl/ d/ a/ 100830/ 115/ 2c1qf. html