Healing Honeys with Louise Rumball 160 - Limerence (like really, really obsessed)
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Jun 11, 2024 
Sarah Murphy, a biology of trauma and nervous system expert, joins to explore the intense and consuming nature of limerence—an obsession that feels maddening. They discuss the biology behind longings, revealing how hormones like dopamine and serotonin fuel obsessive thoughts. Sarah connects low self-esteem and childhood experiences to these feelings, while offering tools for regulation and relief. Somatic practices, dietary adjustments, and the importance of managing neurotransmitters are emphasized, providing a pathway to healing from obsession.
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Attraction Is Biochemistry Not Choice
- Attraction is a biological reaction driven by dopamine and norepinephrine, not just a choice.
- Those hormones create fight-or-flight sensations that feel like euphoria but signal stress and unsafety.
Low Serotonin Fuels Obsessive Rumination
- Early-stage dating lowers serotonin while raising cortisol, producing appetite and mood changes.
- Low serotonin links to OCD-like rumination, connecting infatuation to obsessive thinking.
Oxytocin Calms Fear And Drives Bonding
- Oxytocin bonds and calms the amygdala, reducing fear and anxiety during attachment.
- People craving attachment may pursue relationships to self-soothe an overactive fear center.