88: The Spark, Closure, and Debunking Dating Myths With Britt Frank
Jul 26, 2024
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Neuropsychotherapist Britt Frank and host Sabrina debunk dating myths, emphasizing personal emotional responses over external explanations. They discuss triggers, singlehood, texting misconceptions, and the importance of balanced brain chemistry in early dating stages. The conversation also touches on personal agency in relationships and the impact of core values on change.
Triggers are internal reactions rooted in past experiences, not external actions, requiring self-soothing and reframing for personal growth.
Text frequency does not define commitment, emphasizing the need for context and open communication to manage expectations.
Understanding serotonin and dopamine responses in early dating stages aids in emotional balance, highlighting the importance of individual brain chemistry.
Deep dives
Understanding Triggers and Self-Soothing
Triggers are neutral stimuli that can evoke strong emotional responses based on past experiences. The podcast explores how triggers are often linked to internal reactions rather than external actions. It emphasizes the importance of self-soothing and reframing 'why' inquiries into 'what' and 'how' questions to shift focus to personal feelings and reactions.
Misconceptions About Texting and Relationships
The discussion challenges common myths surrounding texting in relationships, highlighting that the frequency of texts does not define a commitment or level of interest. It delves into how the brain processes text communication, often leading to misinterpretations and emotional reactions. By addressing cognitive biases and managing expectations, the narrative emphasizes the need for context and open communication in evaluating relationships.
Managing Serotonin and Dopamine Levels in Dating
The conversation delves into the brain's serotonin and dopamine responses in early dating stages. It explains how drops in serotonin can lead to obsessions and rumination, suggesting that boosting serotonin through various activities and social connections can help alleviate unhealthy fixations. Additionally, it clarifies the role of dopamine in anticipation of rewards, illustrating how understanding these chemical responses can aid in maintaining emotional balance during dating experiences.
Misconceptions about Brain Chemistry and Medication
Excess dopamine can lead to negative effects like hallucinations and intrusive thoughts, challenging the belief that more dopamine is always beneficial. The podcast highlights a personal experience where taking SSRIs led to harmful effects due to an underlying genetic mutation affecting serotonin processing. This challenges the notion of a chemical balance in the brain and emphasizes the complexity of individual brain chemistry.
Myths and Realities in Dating and Relationships
The discussion delves into the concept of the 'spark' in relationships, revealing that physiological responses like increased cortisol and reduced neurotransmitters could lead to a misinterpretation of attraction. The podcast dispels myths about relationships, addressing issues of abandonment, self-parenting, and the illusion of control in dating scenarios. Emphasizing personal growth and self-awareness, it advocates for realistic expectations in relationships and self-development.
In a discussion debunking dating myths, neuropsychotherapist Britt Frank and host Sabrina explore how the brain is involved with these false ideas. They challenge the myth that knowing why someone behaves a certain way will fix a relationship, emphasizing the importance of personal emotional responses over external explanations. They also address the misconception that triggers are others' responsibilities, suggesting that personal reactions need self-examination. The idea that being single will solve problems is debunked, encouraging curiosity about triggers instead. The duo highlights that texting doesn’t necessarily indicate relationship intentions, stressing the need for contextual understanding and balanced brain chemistry in early dating stages. Finally, they discuss that people don’t change for others unless it aligns with their core values, and adults can't truly be abandoned but can be left, advocating for personal agency in relationships.
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