9 Anti-love Drugs
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Brian D. Earp
Abstract
Instead of trying to strengthen a relationship, what if the relationship needs to end? This chapter discusses existing drugs that may be capable of diminishing love, lust, attraction, or attachment to a current romantic partner. It also raises concerns about possible negative outcomes and points to the limits of what is likely to be possible. Given that drugs or medications used for other purposes may have anti-love side-effects, what would be the ethics of prescribing them off-label as a way of assisting with a difficult breakup or healing a broken heart? The chapter concludes by acknowledging the risk of ‘pathologizing’ love and romantic relationships by intervening in them with medical substances, and suggests a way to avoid this particular worry.
Abstract
Instead of trying to strengthen a relationship, what if the relationship needs to end? This chapter discusses existing drugs that may be capable of diminishing love, lust, attraction, or attachment to a current romantic partner. It also raises concerns about possible negative outcomes and points to the limits of what is likely to be possible. Given that drugs or medications used for other purposes may have anti-love side-effects, what would be the ethics of prescribing them off-label as a way of assisting with a difficult breakup or healing a broken heart? The chapter concludes by acknowledging the risk of ‘pathologizing’ love and romantic relationships by intervening in them with medical substances, and suggests a way to avoid this particular worry.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Epigraph vii
- Contents ix
- 1 Revolution 1
- 2 Love's Dimensions 16
- 3 Human Natures 36
- 4 Little Heart-Shaped Pills 52
- 5 Good-Enough Marriages 71
- 6 Ecstasy as Therapy 82
- 7 Evolved Fragility 101
- 8 Wonder Hormone 110
- 9 Anti-love Drugs 121
- 10 Chemical Breakups 136
- 11 Avoiding Disaster 141
- 12 Choosing Love 171
- Epilogue 189
- Acknowledgements 191
- Notes 195
- Index 255
- About the Authors 267
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Epigraph vii
- Contents ix
- 1 Revolution 1
- 2 Love's Dimensions 16
- 3 Human Natures 36
- 4 Little Heart-Shaped Pills 52
- 5 Good-Enough Marriages 71
- 6 Ecstasy as Therapy 82
- 7 Evolved Fragility 101
- 8 Wonder Hormone 110
- 9 Anti-love Drugs 121
- 10 Chemical Breakups 136
- 11 Avoiding Disaster 141
- 12 Choosing Love 171
- Epilogue 189
- Acknowledgements 191
- Notes 195
- Index 255
- About the Authors 267
