That physical, gut-wrenching feeling that you experience is not all in your head. A new study suggests that the physical pain you feel after a breakup can be just as strong as your emotional grief.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered that the brain processes the intense emotional pain of rejection in the same way it processes physical pain, like stubbing your toe or burning your hand. The study examined brain scans from volunteers who were recently rejected by their significant others. The scans revealed that physical pain and heartbreak trigger the same areas of the brain.
Have you ever felt like you were physically affected by a sudden breakup? How did you overcome the pain of rejection?