Scientific study reveals why ‘love hurts’

HURT feelings affect the same parts of the brain as a stubbed toe, scientists revealed yesterday.

A brain scan study showed that two neural zones which respond to physical pain also react to social exclusion.

The study suggests that, to the brain, damage to social connections is as important as physical injury. Researchers reporting the findings say they may help us understand "why it 'hurts' to lose someone we love".