Enjoy the episode? Send us a text! When Dr. Tennov introduced the concept in the 1970s, it was mostly rejected. We encounter marriage counselors who have never heard of it. But the research is solid. PhD's including anthropologists and biologists and more study it, even having brain scans that teach us much about it. It's called limerence. It is a state of ... Show More
Sep 2025
Limerance & Why You Can't Get Them Out Of Your Head
Dr. K unpacks the intense, destabilizing experience of limerance—the obsessive, all consuming “crush” that can hijack your thoughts, emotions, and even your sense of self. He explains how limerance isn’t just infatuation, but a powerful mental state fueled by unmet needs, anxious ... Show More
58m 11s
Sep 2025
Overcoming romantic obsession
When a crush turns into a harmful obsession, you might experience limerence, romantic infatuation characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows, intrusive thoughts and idealization. In this episode, we talk to neuroscientist Tom Bellamy, author of the book Smitten, about how ... Show More
22m 26s
Jul 2025
Think It’s Love? 5 Signs It’s Obsession (And It’ll Never Last)
How do you know if it’s love or obsession? What does it mean when you can’t stop thinking about someone who doesn’t return your feelings? In this episode, Matthew, Stephen, and Audrey talk about the phenomenon of limerence, how it can leave you always clinging to hope in dating, ... Show More
1h 22m
Aug 2025
Limerence: The Psychology of Romantic Obsession with Brandy Wyant
Forrest and therapist Brandy Wyant discuss limerence, an intense and often one-sided state of romantic obsession. They explore how limerence differs from both love and ordinary crushes, why uncertainty fuels it, and how it can take over a person’s inner world. Brandy shares both ... Show More
1h 4m
Jun 2024
160 - Limerence (like really, really obsessed)
This episode is for when you're obsessed. We're talking like really, really obsessed. You know, thinking about them 24x7, imagining you see them everywhere you go - hoping for a chance encounter? Basically, mad fantasy bonding. And this episode? It's to help you understand that y ... Show More
56m 20s
Jan 2025
Limerence, Love, and Life Transitions: January Mailbag
Dr. Rick and Forrest begin the mailbag by exploring limerence – an obsessive form of romantic attraction – and offer practical recommendations for working with one-sided infatuation. They then discuss what to do when romantic vulnerability feels unsafe, and how we can rebuild tru ... Show More
1h 4m