The Science Behind Heartbreak
Experience chest pain, couldn’t eat, lost your way and starring at the stars lately? Here’s the science behind heartbreak.
We used to know that heartbreak is merely an abstract thing. But what if we say, it’s not.
Such feeling occurs if we break up with our boyfriends or girlfriends, we lost a loved one or we experienced rejection. But did you know that you can die of a broken heart?
Source: Pinterest
Scientists found out that heartbreak activates a part of our brain called the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, where in it is involved in autonomic functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. It is also involved in cognitive functions such as decisions, impulse, control and emotions. This part of the brain can simulate the similar feeling of an emotional pain into physical pain.
When we are in a heavily emotional situation such as break ups, we may experience intense chest pains and surge of stresses.
Also, people who grieve the passing away of a loved one are said to be in higher risk of heart attack on the first 30 days.
During this phase, the increase of hormone cortisol induces depression and anxiety as hormones, dopamine and oxytoxin, that induces happiness decreases.
You can even suffer the Broken Heart Syndrome also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotusbo cardiomyopathy where in dramatic changes in rhythm and blood substances occurs, same as that of the heart attack. This can lead to short-term heart muscle failure but is usually treatable.
The science behind heartbreak (Source: Tumblr)
To cope with these situations, it is best to surround that person with positivity and give social support. Social bonds and relationships have been an important aspect of survival in all species and these have been scientifically proven to alleviate pain and depression.
Indeed, no man is an island and we don’t want to be left alone.
In some way, we all want to belong and fit in somewhere.
The science behind heartbreak (Source: AsapSCIENCE)
