Neurochemical Withdrawal in Romantic Breakup, A Hypothesis on Exogenous Supplementation of Oxytocin, Vasopressin, Dopamine, Serotonin, and Endogenous Opioids to Mitigate Post-Relationship Distress

When you experience a breakup, your brain stops receiving hits of oxytocin, vasopressin, dopamine, serotonin, and natural opioids. All these neurotransmitters are present when you are with someone you love and it’s like withdrawal, with severe cravings, emptiness, anxiety, etc. This paper discusses the chemicals that drive romantic attachment and explains the impact of losing a relationship. Then it suggests a theory: would using external versions of those chemicals ( oxytocin nasal spray, some dopamine stimulants, serotonin, etc.,) make it less painful and help with faster recovery? While there is some literature on depression and grief that supports it, using these chemicals for broken heart syndrome is, to my knowledge, not tested. Given the potential side effects and ethical concerns, it is worth exploring.