Another interesting article in New Scientist. Paper edition : 1 December page 37.
Researchers have discovered amazing similarities between physical and emotional pain in terms of brain chemistry and body response. When your heart is broken, or you feel lonely or rejected, the feeling of pain is all too real. MRI scans of the brain show that the same region is activated as when physical pain is inflicted with heat, electric shock, or leaving your hand in ice water. Not only that, but emotional pain is reduced by the same chemicals that reduce physical pain. eg. paracetamol or morphine etc.
People who are very sensitive to emotional pain, such as loneliness, or serious grieving when a love affair ends, are also the people who have a low threshold to physical pain, as is shown by empirical tests. this is probably a genetic difference.
Emotional pain also seems to stimulate a flare up of the immune system. Emotional stress stimulates the inflammatory response. Sadly, this shortens the human life. Those who suffer badly from limited social contacts, live shorter lives.
Looks like the phrase 'broken hearted' may not be too far from the truth. How does this tie in with your personal experience?