SMITTEN: Romantic Obsession, the Neuroscience of Limerence and How to Make Love Last
Psychology, 224 pages
Watkins Media/St Martins Press, 2025
“Butterflies” in the stomach, intrusive thoughts, fantasies about imaginary scenarios, mood swings from euphoria to despair… aren't these all the familiar hallmarks of new love? Not quite. These are characteristics of the psychological state of “limerence”, also known as obsessive, passionate or addictive love that can become unhealthy.
Millions of people will experience limerence at some point in their life, and in this book, neuroscientist Dr Tom Bellamy explores advances in neuroscience since the term was coined in the 1970s, and sheds light on this little-understood element of the human experience. Discover:
What drives limerence
How to recognise limerence in yourself and others
How to manage the phases of addiction to another person
How to move past it to sustain longer, more fulfilling relationships.
With supportive advice about next steps, this book will help readers struggling with unwanted feelings to find emotional equilibrium.
Dr. TOM BELLAMY
Agent: Juliet Pickering
Assistant: Finlay Charlesworth
Dr Tom Bellamy is an academic neuroscientist and Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Nottingham. He was awarded a PhD in Neuroscience from University College London in 2001, and held a personal fellowship at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge from 2004 to 2010.
He is fascinated by the complex relationship between fundamental neurophysiology and human behaviour. His first book, SMITTEN: Romantic Obsession, The Neuroscience of Limerence, and How to Make Love Last, will be published in Spring 2025.