S03E12 Special Outtake on The Neuroscience of Love with Owen Fitzpatrick Part Two
Contrary to what movies and storybooks tell us, our feelings and emotions do not come from the heart. They actually come from the brain.
In this second part of a special outtake of my Clubhouse session, I dig into the neuroscience of love, relationships, and heartbreak. I explain certain terms like synaptic pruning and neurotransmission. I then talk about how specific neurochemicals and hormones work when you meet someone, get into a relationship, or get out of one. I also weigh in on attraction, lust, and ghosting, offering advice so that you can better deal with strong feelings or emotionally-driven situations.
Hope you enjoy!
Key Takeaways:
- Dopamine is the chemical that makes us want something or someone
- Serotonin stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness
- Oxytocin plays a role in social bonding, reproduction, and the period after childbirth
- Phenethylamine acts as a releasing agent for dopamine and other chemicals
- On pheromones, vasopressin, testosterone and estrogen
- On takotsubo cardiomyopathy or "broken heart” syndrome
- Set some rules or guidelines so that you don’t just go with your feelings
- Loving someone and being in a relationship can lead to amazing experiences but it’s not always easy so be kind to yourself
Quotes:
- “Feelings and emotions are largely the produce or the effect of these chemicals going across the brain.”
- “Oxytocin allows you to empathize more easily with people.”
- “Being attracted to someone and actually acting on that are two different things.”
- “As soon as you get heartbroken, you’re also having your future broken.”
- “When you fall in love with someone, your brain is actually blind to the negatives.”
Resources:
- S03E10: Special Outtake on The Neuroscience of Love Part One
- Dr. Andrew Huberman’s podcast
- Helen Fisher’s books
- How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett
- Love Sick by Frank Tallis
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