Explore the science of intense romantic attraction on Addicted to a Lover. Learn how infatuation impacts your nervous system and creates a powerful emotional yearning.

Falling in love can be so intense that it actually feels exactly like an addiction; it’s not just in your head, it’s in your biology. Your brain is using an ancient survival mechanism that treats the object of your affection as a literal chemical dependency.
https://drcortney.com/addicted-to-a-lover/


The podcast Addicted to a Lover dives into the science of intense romantic attraction and how it feels like a total takeover of your nervous system. It describes the cinematic, breath-taking moments where a person becomes completely enchanted by another, leading to a surge of attraction that feels like a lightning bolt to the chest. The show examines how this experience shifts from a beautiful, magical spell into a powerful emotional yearning.
According to the discussion in Addicted to a Lover, intense infatuation can trigger physical reactions such as a racing heart and sweaty palms, signaling a total takeover of the nervous system. This psychological state makes the rest of the world fade away while the brain focuses exclusively on one person. It is described as a high-energy party in the brain where the individual feels swept up in a massive tidal wave of attraction and excitement.
The signs of being enchanted include a constant yearning for contact, such as a text or a five-second phone call, and feeling incredible whenever you are together. You might find yourself grinning like a goofball in public or gushing to friends about the person. This stage of romantic attraction makes every song on the radio feel personal, as if it were written specifically about your life and your intense emotional connection.
Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco
