achy breaky heart

Chocolate, chick-flicks, darts and pictures. Turns out the cure for a heartbreak includes more than what’s on this list—acetaminophen is also a remedy. In a study published in an issue of Psychological Science, participants were given a painkiller or a placebo for three weeks and then asked to record their emotions on a Hurt Feelings Scale to determine the extent of their social rejection each day. The group taking the painkillers had a significant decrease in hurt feelings. Researchers also performed an MRI to measure blood flow activity in the brain and got the same results. Turns out acetaminophen can be used to treat social as well as physical pain, suggesting the regions of the brain that deal with feelings of social rejection and physical pain overlap. Remember, however, prolonged use of acetaminophen in high doses can cause liver damage, especially when mixed with alcohol, so we’d stick with the ever-popular chocolate and a night out with friends instead.