Why does heartbreak hurt so much? According to psychologist and bestselling author Guy Winch, it’s not just emotional—it’s biological. Heartbreak hijacks your brain like an addiction, making it one of the most painful experiences a person can endure. In this episode, Guy breaks down the science of heartbreak, the biggest mistakes people make when trying to move on, and why heartbreak needs a mourning ritual—just like grief. If you’ve ever struggled to let go, this episode is for you.

Website:

⁠https://www.guywinch.com⁠

Guy’s TED Talks:

⁠https://www.ted.com/speakers/guy_winch⁠

Guy’s Books:

📕How to Fix a Broken Heart

⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/1501120123⁠

📕Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts

⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/0142181072⁠

📕The Squeaky Wheel: Complaining the Right Way to Get Results, Improve Your Relationships, and Enhance Self-Esteem

⁠https://www.amazon.com/The-Squeaky-Wheel-Guy-Winch-Ph-D-audiobook/dp/B004INR2VU/⁠

Listen to Guy’s PodcastDear Therapists:

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-therapists-with-lori-gottlieb-and-guy-winch/id1523340696⁠

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Guy Winch

03:32 Heartbreak as the Ultimate Rejection

09:45 Why Heartbreak Feels Like Drug Withdrawal

14:20 The Science Behind Rejection and Emotional Pain

19:05 The Mistakes People Make When Healing from Heartbreak

24:40 Why Social Media Stalking Makes It Worse

30:15 The Importance of a Mourning Ritual for Heartbreak

37:00 How to Stop Idealizing Your Ex

42:18 Replacement Strategies—The Healthy Way to Move On

48:30 Rebuilding Rejection Resilience and Dating Again

🎧 Listen to the full episode to learn how to heal a broken heart and move forward with resilience!