The Love Withdrawal Hypothesis

When a relationship ends, our brains go into withdrawal due to the absence of the love and validation we used to receive. The sudden lack of stimulation leads to a deficit in neurotransmitters, triggering symptoms similar to clinical depression. This phenomenon, known as the love withdrawal hypothesis, clarifies why individuals post-breakup experience intense longing, obsession, and irrational behavior towards their ex-partners. The brain, seeking to reestablish equilibrium, craves the neurochemical addiction to love, making it challenging to move on after a breakup.