When you experience emotional heartbreak, chemical reactions occur at various levels, potentially causing pain similar to a broken bone. If you have ever gone through a breakup or divorce, you have likely experienced the following five chemical reactions in your body.
Anxiety and insomnia are the most common symptoms following a breakup. This happens because people feel secure when they are in a relationship, and when they are alone, they begin to feel the pain of separation. According to multiple scientific studies, this emotional pain activates the same areas of the brain that are stimulated by cocaine addiction.
Chest pain is another common effect after a breakup. Neurological signals in people who have recently ended a relationship are similar to those in individuals suffering from physical pain after an injury. That is why chest pain after a breakup is not surprising.
The reason behind this phenomenon is that heartbreak weakens the heart’s function. Therefore, breakups can be especially dangerous for individuals with heart disease. MRI studies on people experiencing breakups show increased brain activity in areas responsible for stress and physical pain.
Researchers have also observed that even if the part of the brain responsible for processing external pain is inactive, the systems controlling the body’s pain response can intensify anxiety. This is due to stress hormones released by the brain, which directly impact the heart, digestive system, and immune system.
Skin problems such as acne are another sign of stress caused by a breakup. During this time, people tend to neglect self-care, and stress hormones can negatively affect skin health, leading to breakouts and even hair loss.
Experiencing stress makes the body more prone to injuries. In this state, muscle spasms may also occur, causing muscles to become tense, leading to stiffness and pain throughout the body.
After a breakup, many people either overeat or completely lose their appetite. Essentially, breakups can cause eating disorders. The reason for this is that stress reduces the body's sensitivity to insulin, prompting it to produce more insulin and store fat.
Stress and weight gain are also directly linked to insomnia and lack of concentration. Stress disrupts digestive function and can cause stomach pain and diarrhea.
If you've ever wondered why a breakup causes so much pain, the answer likely lies in the chemical reactions released in your body.
A breakup can even affect your relationships with other people, as it can make social interactions more anxiety-inducing. When important people in your life are no longer present, you may experience pain similar to that of a broken bone.
Think of social rejection as something that primarily affects cognitive functions. However, emotional rejection is processed by the same system that triggers feelings of hunger and thirst, making it deeply impactful.
