10 FACTS ABOUT HEARTBREAK

1. The brain does not differentiate between physical pain and extreme emotional pain

2. The intensity and longevity of heartbreak tends to be much greater in women

3. During heartbreak our brain releases high levels ofcortisol, shutting down our immune system.

4. The physiological effects of heartbreak are similar to the physiological effects of a drug addictwithdrawing from cocaine.

5. This explains why people have tangible, physical "cravings" for their ex post break-up, and why some people form obsessive habits during periods of heartbreak (e.g. driving past their ex's house, constantly checking their ex's Facebook…)

6. The feelings a person experiences during heartbreak are also comparable to the brain state of a person deprived of food or water.

7. There has been a recorded phenomenon since the 1990s called Broken Heart Syndrome, where people have experienced heart attacks under periods of intense grief.

8. Your risk of having a heart attack is twenty-onetimes higher than normal after someone you love dies.

9. So yes, it's true that you can actually die of a broken heartbreak

Although the mortality rate of Broken Heart Syndrome is only 1%.

10. But have no fear. Researchers are still out there looking for a cure.  

Source:buzzfeed.com