A New Study Shows How Prairie Voles Get Over Breakups
A recent study conducted with prairie voles has shed light on the process of breaking up and getting over lost love. The study, led by behavioral neuroscientist Zoe Donaldson at the University of Colorado Boulder, revealed that prairie voles experience an increase in dopamine, the pleasure hormone, when reunited with their partners. However, this effect diminishes over time as the voles continue to live their lives without their mates.
“We know that they remember their partner, even after not seeing them for four weeks,” explains Donaldson. “They behave as if they know her, but her reaction, at a neuronal level, is not the same.”
This research helps to provide a deeper understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms surrounding lasting relationships. “We wanted to know what the role of dopamine is in maintaining these bonds,” said Donaldson.
The findings of this study could also be relevant in understanding how people overcome loss. This could be especially important for individuals experiencing prolonged grief disorder, as the dopaminergic signal generated by the loss of a partner may hinder the healing process.
While prairie voles are not exactly like people, their experiences with love and loss can still provide valuable insights into human behavior and relationships. “The lessons learned by these scientists in the world of voles have a clear translation to human couple relationships,” says couples psychologist Lorenlay Fraile.
Understanding how different species, like prairie voles, cope with breakups can help inform how humans navigate the emotional challenges of lost love. The study suggests that although the mechanisms for overcoming a breakup may vary between species, the fundamental experiences of love and forgetfulness are universal.