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Just got your bum kicked by love? Here's how your brain deals with rejection



Ya win some, ya lose some—it’s true with sports games, and with relationships. Fortunately for us, our brain has evolved to deal with losing…especially when it comes to social rejection, it turns out.

A game-changing new study shows that our brains deal with rejection similarly to how they deal with injuries: by releasing a chemical called an opioid, which dulls the hurt we feel. Researchers also discovered that the more resilient the individual, the more opioids were released.

These natural painkillers make us feel better on a short-term basis, allowing our brains to rationalize the situation and let us move on. The bottom line, though? Pain is pain—so while you’re dealing with the harsh sting of rejection, whether from a friend who’s grown apart or a relationship that’s fizzled, don’t let anyone tell you ya don’t have the right to grieve and feel hurt. After all, it’s human nature.

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by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016
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