Pain, betrayal, rejection, and sadness are all normal emotional responses one may suffer when going through a break-up. A new study has found a way to ease your emotional state after a break-up—a simple dose of paracetamol, an ingredient found in over the counter painkillers.
Neuroscientists at the University of California discovered that emotional pain is processed in the same area of the brain as physical pain, therefore, painkillers can be used to depress the negative feelings following a break-up.
The three week study examined the response of people taking 1,000 mg of the painkiller Tylenol versus people taking a placebo. Those who were taking the Tylenol experienced a reduction of hurt feelings, while those taking the placebo continued to dwell on their break-up.
Dr Naomi Eisenberger, an assistant professor of social psychology at the University of California, warns people of taking painkillers to lessen the feelings associated with a traumatic experience, like a break-up, “Emotional pain is a healthy response, which teaches us not to repeat the behavior that has caused the pain, and dulling this hurt could impair recovery.”
Have you ever taken over the counter painkillers to dull your emotions? Will you start to?
guest
I think that would create an unhealthy addiction to painkillers everytime something emotional happens you’ll be ready to pop pills to “rush” the sadness. It’s apart of life, but I am curious to see further studies about this in the future
guest
What an unhealthy thing to do! I don’t think Tylenol can “cure” a breakup, and hopefully people won’t get the wrong idea and try and take it to get through a bad breakup. The better thing to do would be exercise or talk to someone supportive about things. Much less rough on the liver!
guest
This…is a bad research study, lol. I’m amused at the disclaimer the researchers put afterwards – “BUT YOU SHOULDN’T DO THIS! NO, NO, BAD!”
Of course numbing out with painkillers with kill the pain temporarily, but it will definately impair your recovery in the long-term. Bear the weight of the pain naturally and don’t buy more Tylenol. Save yourself the liver damage. You’ll be a stronger, more emotionally&mentally healthy person for it.
If I were the researchers I probably would have had ethical concerns unleashing this interesting bit of recent science to the American public, a known society to throw a pill at damn near everything that ails them.
guest
I popped so many pills getting over one of my breakups. It works like a charm. I didn’t feel lonely or my legs!
peony / 4 posts
It will also destroy your liver. Eat some ice cream , bitch it out, skip the tylenol
guest
@chawxmean@xanga - Actually no, just pop a whole lot of pills when the worst of it hits and then you’ll be over it when the initially “bad” period of time goes away.
guest
I do not agree with drugging yourself to feel better. This is the beginning of addictions. Why don’t people just talk to a friend, work out, listen to music, do something fun, etc. instead of taking pills? You are just numbing yourself to the pain which can make you feel worse.
Acknowledge the pain, feel it, let it go.
Move on, live, and love.
♥
guest
@ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - Uhh..erm, someone’s a bit dark. o_O By ‘over it’ I assume you mean ‘dead’ of course.
guest
@chawxmean@xanga - No, no, you don’t OD. Then you’ll have a broken heart and a broken liver.
guest
@ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - Lol, ‘just pop a whole lot of pills’ IS ODing……anyway…
guest
@chawxmean@xanga - To the point of numbness, not to the point of death, woman! Unless said pill popper is leaving me goods. Then to the point of death.
guest
@ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - Numbness still involves risk of death and brain cell death in a few major areas in the brain.
No offense. lollllz. Cuddles/hugs instead of pills work muuuch better than any pill for heart ache/heart break. Juuuust my opinion though. Peace chicka!
guest
@chawxmean@xanga – Well that explains my ever declining GPA.