The transition from love to rejection after disappointment involves complex neurobiological processes that reflect changes in neurotransmitter dynamics and the activation of specific brain circuits. These changes are critical to understanding how the initial experience of pleasure and attachment associated with love can be reversed to feelings of aversion and withdrawal. Understanding these dynamics is fundamental to the neuroscience of social behavior and human relationships.
Changes in the dopaminergic pathway and reward system
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter widely associated with the reward system, plays a central role in reinforcing prosocial and attachment behaviors in romantic love contexts. During the attachment phase, there is a substantial activation of dopaminergic pathways, particularly in the nucleus accumbens and other regions of the mesolimbic circuit, reinforcing the feeling of pleasure associated with the presence of the loved one (Coria-Avila et al., 2014). However, after a disappointment, the perception of the social stimulus as rewarding is significantly altered, resulting in a decrease in dopamine release. This reduction modifies the perception of the interaction, which is no longer perceived as pleasurable and becomes associated with emotional pain, leading to aversion and withdrawal (Strathearn, 2011).
Impact of oxytocin on aversion transformation
Oxytocin, a neuropeptide that is essential in the formation and maintenance of social bonds, also plays an essential role in the transition from love to rejection. During the early stages of a relationship, oxytocin promotes trust and attachment behaviors by positively modulating the response of the dopaminergic reward system. However, evidence suggests that, in situations of rejection or disappointment, there is a decrease in oxytocin release, which contributes to a negative modulation of social interactions. The decrease in oxytocin has been associated with the activation of the amygdala, a region of the brain responsible for processing threats and the intensification of emotions such as fear and anger. This activation exacerbates the perception of threat associated with the person who caused the disappointment, culminating in an emotional response of abrupt withdrawal (Kirsch et al., 2005).
Serotonin and mood regulation during rejection
Serotonin, another neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood and emotions, is also closely linked to the rejection response. Low serotonin levels are often associated with a decreased ability to regulate negative emotions such as sadness and anger, which can intensify the experience of emotional pain during rejection. Studies indicate that the interaction between dopamine and serotonin is critical for the transition from feelings of attachment to aversion. Low serotonin levels contribute to emotional dysregulation that makes it difficult to overcome disappointment, keeping the individual in a state of prolonged emotional distress (Love et al., 2012).
Role of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex
Increased amygdala activation after disappointment is directly related to increased social aversion. The amygdala, a critical structure in emotional processing, amplifies fear and anger responses associated with rejection, exacerbating the perception of threat. In parallel, the prefrontal cortex, which normally acts in regulating emotions and controlling impulses, can be temporarily inhibited in situations of high emotional stress, such as rejection. This inhibition reduces the individual’s ability to rationally process the situation, facilitating abrupt responses of withdrawal and aversion (Petereit et al., 2019).
Conclusion
The transformation from love to rejection is mediated by a series of neurobiological changes involving a decrease in dopamine and oxytocin, accompanied by serotonin dysregulation. These changes affect the reward system, threat perception, and emotional regulation, culminating in abrupt withdrawal and a feeling of aversion. A detailed understanding of these mechanisms provides a solid basis for future therapeutic interventions aimed at managing the emotional distress associated with rejection.
References
Coria-Avila, G., Manzo, J., García, L.I., Carrillo, P., Miquel, M., & Pfaus, J.G. (2014). Neurobiology of social attachments. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 43, 173-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.04.004
Kirsch, P., Esslinger, C., Chen, Q., Mier, D., Lis, S., Siddhanti, S., Gruppe, H., Mattay, V., Gallhofer, B., & Meyer-Lindenberg, A. (2005). Oxytocin modulates neural circuitry for social cognition and fear in humans. The Journal of Neuroscience, 25(49), 11489-11493. Oxytocin Modulates Neural Circuitry for Social Cognition and Fear in Humans
Love, T., Enoch, M.A., Hodgkinson, C.A., Pecina, M., Mickey, B., Koeppe, R.A., Stohler, C.S., & Zubieta, J.-K. (2012). Oxytocin Gene Polymorphisms Influence Human Dopaminergic Function in a Sex-Dependent Manner. Biological Psychiatry, 72(3), 198-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.01.033
Petereit, P., Rinn, C., Stemmler, G., & Müller, E. M. (2019). Oxytocin reduces the link between neural and affective responses after social exclusion. Biological Psychology, 145, 224-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.05.002
Strathearn, L. (2011). Maternal Neglect: Oxytocin, Dopamine and the Neurobiology of Attachment. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 23(11), 1054-1065. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02228.x
