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Why do we love and why does it take such a strain on us when it ends?

Dr. Aris Thorne
Dr. Aris Thorne
Senior Science Editor · Jan 8, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

There's a hormone in your body called [oxytocin](_URL_0_). (Note: despite the spelling, oxytocin has nothing to do with the painkiller oxycontin). Oxytocin is a bonding hormone – it increases your feelings of trust and empathy, and makes you more generous and more caring.

127
Words

1 min
Read Time

#46
of 500 in Psychology

+87%
vs Category Avg

The Short Answer

There's a hormone in your body called [oxytocin](_URL_0_). (Note: despite the spelling, oxytocin has nothing to do with the painkiller oxycontin). Oxytocin is a bonding hormone – it increases your feelings of trust and empathy, and makes you more generous and more caring. It's produced in the body when you hang out with your buddies, cementing group bonding and friendship. And it's produced in great quantities during sexual and romantic moments with your partner, bonding you together. What you're experiencing now is oxytocin withdrawal. Your brain is used to having a certain level of oxytocin flowing around, and with your partner gone you're not getting your fix. So you feel like shit. Like other kinds of withdrawal, though, it will pass with time. I'm sorry, btw 🙁

Analysis

Key Concepts: Oxytocin, bonding, hormone

This explanation focuses on oxytocin, bonding, hormone and spans 127 words across 10 sentences. At 87% above the average Psychology explanation (68 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.

What This Answer Covers

The explanation opens with: “There's a hormone in your body called [oxytocin](_URL_0_).” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 10 connected points.

How This Compares in Psychology

Ranked #46 of 500 Psychology questions by answer depth (top 10%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why we love and why does it take such a strain on us when it ends?

There's a hormone in your body called [oxytocin](_URL_0_). (Note: despite the spelling, oxytocin has nothing to do with the painkiller oxycontin). Oxytocin is a bonding hormone – it increases your feelings of trust and empathy, and makes you more…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Psychology questions?

This is one of the most thorough answer at 127 words, ranked #46 of 500 Psychology questions by depth. The key concepts covered are oxytocin, bonding, hormone.

What approach does this answer take to explain we love and why does it take such a strain on us when it end?

The explanation uses direct explanation across 127 words. It is categorized under Psychology and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.