Overcoming romantic obsession – Life Kit – NPR

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October 12, 2026

Life Kit

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Overcoming romantic obsession

October 12, 20263:00 AM ET, 22-Minute Listen

An illustration shows a slot machine rendered in a flat, retro style, depicted in bright pink, red, green, and yellow against a pink backdrop littered with falling red hearts. The arm of the slot machine up and there are three slots pictured on the machine. In the first slot, a fiery heart recedes down out of the frame, in the middle slot, a firey heart is centered, and in the third slot, a firey heart enters the frame, creating a diagonal line of fiery hearts. Other icons visible either entering or leaving the frame, are a locked heart-shaped padlock and a four-leaf clover. The illustration references the concept of limerence. — Alisa Solo/Getty Images

When a crush turns into a harmful obsession, you might experience limerence, romantic infatuation characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows, intrusive thoughts and idealization. In this episode, we talk to neuroscientist Tom Bellamy, author of the book Smitten, about how limerence works in the brain, what you can do to stop it, and how to replace limerence with healthier interests. This episode was originally published Sept. 16, 2025.

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Continue/Read Original Article: Overcoming romantic obsession : Life Kit : NPR