Reasons Why Breakups Are So Painful

Illustration (Rodnae Productions / Pexels)

JAKARTA - Have you ever felt that your whole body suddenly becomes weak when your relationship is in trouble? Based on research, it turns out that feeling is very influential on the condition of the body. Here are some of the changes you usually feel when you break up and why.

Brain

Unintentionally, when you look back at the photo of you and your ex-partner when you were together, the stomach suddenly feels nauseous and the head feels dizzy. This is because when you witness these old memories, blood immediately rushes to the ventral tegmental area of the brain.

However, the part of the brain that increases the feeling of longing also 'lights up'. That's why sometimes there is a desire to peek at your ex's life on social media or you feel sad when you come to the places you used to frequent.

Meanwhile, from the heart, you refuse to remember these memories. Then the reaction of the body will flow more blood to the secondary somatosensory cortex and the posterior dorsal insula which makes physical pain. That is why the body becomes tired when it has to be reminded of memories with the ex.

Stomach

Stress causes the nervous system to signal the body's digestive system to run slower. So even though your stomach is hungry and sick, your appetite decreases.

Hormone

When the ex says the word break up, the adrenal glands begin to produce the hormone cortisol, which is associated with stress and adrenaline starts to react in the body. Depending on how badly the separation affects you, this hormone can last for a moment or a long time. This hormone will also make blood flow faster so that the body becomes tense.

Immune system

When you're sad, your immune system usually goes down. As a result, if there are viruses or germs that attack, the body will be easily controlled and immediately become feverish.

Skin

Broken hearts are usually accompanied by pimples. This is because the hormone cortisol increases, which triggers a buildup of oil under the facial skin.

Hair

If emotions really 'fall', some of the follicles in the scalp can enter a phase called telogen effluvium. This is a resting phase where hair stops growing and eventually falls out. But don't worry, when your feelings get better, new hair will grow back.