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!