The Jordan Harbinger Show

790: Florence Williams | The Science of Heartbreak

Feb 7, 2023

Florence Williams, a journalist and author known for her exploration of nature and human experience, delves into the profound effects of heartbreak. She explains that emotional pain activates similar brain responses as physical pain and can lead to serious health risks, including chronic illnesses. Williams discusses gender differences in experiencing heartbreak and the emotional repercussions of loneliness, suggesting that engaging with nature can aid in healing. Tune in for insights on the surprising science behind the heart's most challenging moments!

53:55

Episode guests

Florence Williams

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

4min

The Heartbreak Effect

15min

Emotional Turmoil and Heartbreak

4min

The Heartbreak Paradox

15min

Connections in Struggle

6min

The Loneliness Paradox

9min

Healing Heartbreak: The Science of Emotion and Connection

7min

Florence Williams (@flowill) is a journalist and the author of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History, and Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.

What We Discuss with Florence Williams:

How "real" is heartbreak? Real enough that our brains react to the emotional pain of heartbreak in the same way they react to physical pain.
The chronic loneliness brought about by heartbreak can increase the risk of early death by as much as 26 percent.
Just as you wouldn't expect results from "wishing" a toothache away, ignoring the distress caused by heartbreak can exacerbate existing medical problems and create new ones — from inflammation to diabetes, heart disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Differences between the causes and symptoms of heartbreak as typically experienced by women and men.
What we can do to mitigate the pain if we find ourselves suffering from heartbreak.
And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/790

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Miss our conversation with evolutionary social psychologist Dr. Sarah Hill? Catch up with episode 280: Sarah Hill | This Is Your Brain on Birth Control here!

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