What Is a Soul Tie? Here's Everything You Need to Know

There’s a common saying: People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When considering many of your personal and professional bonds, it makes sense. You may befriend a coworker for a few years before losing touch when you switch jobs—or maybe you grow close with a friend who's training for a marathon at the same time as you. However, there’s one dynamic that this sentence doesn’t quite fully encapsulate: a soul tie.

The powerful connection of a soul tie is similar to that of a soulmate or a twin flame. However, there are two key differences: The term doesn’t exclusively apply to romantic relationships, and it doesn’t always signify a healthy dynamic. “Some ties are beautiful and life-affirming, helping us grow and heal, while others are messy, toxic, or leave us feeling stuck,” says Chamin Ajjan, a psychotherapist. “But whether they’re nurturing or challenging, soul ties are always an opportunity to learn something about ourselves. They act as mirrors, reflecting our own patterns, fears, and desires, often in ways we don’t fully understand until we step back and take a closer look.”

Here, the experts break down what a soul tie is, including signs to look out for—and how to tell when it turns toxic.

What Is a Soul Tie?

A soul tie describes a deep connection or bond between two people. Whether spiritual, physical, or emotional, it goes far beyond a typical friendship or partnership, affecting you after the relationship ends. “It’s not just a fleeting connection—it’s a bond that leaves an imprint on your well-being, your growth, and how you see yourself and the world—for better or worse,” says Ajjan. “These connections go beyond surface-level interactions and shape you in ways that are hard to ignore.”

The deep connection of a soul tie can be part of a romantic relationship, but it isn’t always. “A soul tie is rooted in a bond between two people formed through emotional, spiritual, or physical connections,” says Janet Bayramyan, a licensed clinical social worker.  “It can occur in any relationship—romantic, platonic, familial, or even professional. While they are often associated with romantic or sexual bonds, soul ties can form in any relationship where there is deep emotional or spiritual closeness. What distinguishes a soul tie from other types of relationships is its depth, longevity, and potential spiritual or emotional impact.”

Though the term is often used interchangeably with the concept of a soulmate or a twin flame, each describes a slightly different type of connection. “While soulmates are deeply compatible connections that feel natural and harmonious and bring ease, twin flames bring intensity and are thought to be your ‘other half,’ or a reflection of your soul,” says Ajjan. “Soul ties can be either, but they aren’t limited to romantic relationships and are deeply emotional and spiritual.”

Do Soul Ties Have a Scientific Basis?

The idea of a soul tie has roots in religious and spiritual beliefs. “While soul ties are not a clinical term, pop psychology has adopted it as a way to explain the lasting emotional and psychological impact of close relationships,” says Ajjan. Many Christians find ancient references to soul tie connections in the Bible, especially in Genesis 2:24: “The two shall become one flesh,” and 1 Samuel 18:1, where David and Jonathan are “one in spirit.” “It is discussed in the context of relationships, particularly in marriage and sexual intimacy,” says Bayramyan.

The concept also appears in New Age spiritually, where “soul ties are seen as energetic cords that connect individuals, which can be healthy or toxic depending on the relationship,” as well as in trauma recovery circles, “highlighting the lingering effects of intense or unhealthy relationships on one's psyche,” Bayramyan adds. Ajjan points out that the concept appears in other cultures, too. “Many African and Indigenous traditions emphasize spiritual connections that tie people to their families, tribes, or ancestors, while Eastern philosophies explore concepts like ‘karma’ and ‘energetic bonds,’ which suggest that people are linked through their actions, relationships, and shared spiritual growth,” she says. 

While science hasn’t proved the literal existence of a soul tie, experts do point to the impact of deep and powerful connections. And Ajjan and Bayramyan both note that several common psychological concepts echo some of the underlying principles of soul ties, including:

• Attachment theory: A concept that explains the formation and persistence of emotional bonds
• Trauma bonding: A concept in which individuals form unhealthy attachments within toxic situations
• Emotional imprinting: The idea that significant relationships can continue to shape us long into the future

How Does a Soul Tie Form?

Soul tie connections can be divided into four different categories, says Bayramyan. Each is formed in a slightly different way. However, shared experiences, as well as open and vulnerable communication, almost always play a role in creating them. 

Physical Soul Tie

“Formed through physical intimacy or touch, particularly sexual relationships, this tie connects individuals on a bodily and energetic level, often leaving a lasting impact on their emotions and sense of closeness,” she says.

Emotional Soul Tie 

This type of soul tie, says Bayramyan, “arises from deep emotional bonding, such as through shared vulnerability, mutual support, or significant life experiences, creating a connection that lingers in the heart and mind.”

Mental Soul Tie

A mental soul tie “develops when two people are intellectually aligned or deeply influenced by one another’s thoughts, ideas, or perspectives, often shaping beliefs or decision-making,” says Bayramyan.

Spiritual Soul Tie

“Formed through shared spiritual experiences, such as prayer, worship, or mentorship, this connection resonates on a deeper, transcendent level and often carries a sense of divine purpose or alignment,” says Bayramyan.

5 Signs of a Soul Tie

The deep connection that bonds two people together can allow them to reach a profound level of spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental intimacy. Below, the experts offer five signs that you’ve found such a connection.

It’s Unusual

A soul tie connection is different from your other relationships. “Whether it’s positive or difficult, this connection is strong—it goes beyond surface-level interactions and sticks with you, impacting your emotions and thoughts,” says Ajjan. 

It’s Powerful

While it’s not uncommon to find yourself distracted by thoughts of a romantic partner, the emotional connection of a soul tie goes much further. “You feel deeply connected to the person, regardless of time or distance,” says Bayramyan. “Their actions or presence trigger strong emotional responses, such as feeling unusually joyful, hurt, or nostalgic, even without recent interactions.”

It’s Magnetic

Soul ties are often recognizable by their powerful pull, “whether it’s a desire to be near them or an overwhelming need to reconnect during periods of separation,” says Bayramyan. Ajjan agrees: “Soul ties can feel like a very intense bond that draws you to the person despite distance, time, or even the state of your relationship,” she says. “It’s like they hold a piece of your energy, and you theirs.”

It’s Persistent

After a soul tie relationship has ended, you’ll find it hard—or impossible—to let go. “The emotional imprint they’ve left keeps you tied, making it hard to move forward in other areas of your life,” says Ajjan. “It is like they are still there.”

It’s Empathetic 

A common attribute of a soul tie is that “you feel what they feel,” says Ajjan. “A soul tie often creates a heightened sense of empathy between two people. You may deeply feel their pain or joy, like they are your own struggles or victories.”

How to Break an Unhealthy Soul Tie

Soul ties aren’t always a component of a healthy relationship. They can also be a toxic connection that requires an intentional break. “A healthy soul tie promotes personal growth, mutual support, and emotional well-being,” says Bayramyan. “These ties often form in relationships that are nurturing, balanced, and rooted in respect and love, such as a deeply connected romantic partnership, a close friendship where both individuals encourage each other’s growth, or a family bond that provides stability and unconditional support. In these cases, the soul tie enhances both people’s lives and fosters a sense of purpose, comfort, and shared joy. Unhealthy soul ties, on the other hand, can emerge in relationships that are toxic, codependent, or abusive.”

In situations based on manipulation or control, unresolved trauma, unbalanced attachment, or unhealthy obsession, a soul tie can disrupt your other relationships, leave you anxious and unhappy, and keep you stuck in a negative cycle of conflict and pain. An extreme dependence on your partner or a loss of independence can also signal a connection that’s dangerous to your long-term well-being. Here, Bayramyan suggests seven steps to take toward breaking an unhealthy soul tie:

• Acknowledge the tie: “Recognize the presence of the soul tie and its impact on your life. Naming the issue is the first step toward change.”
• Reflect on the relationship: “Examine how the connection serves or harms you. Journaling or discussing it with a trusted friend or therapist can help clarify its effects.”
• Set boundaries: “Limit or cut off contact with the person, especially if the relationship is toxic. Enforce boundaries to protect your emotional and mental space.”
• Self-care: “Prioritize your own needs and healing. Focus on activities and relationships that uplift and empower you.”
• Embrace mindfulness: “Use mindfulness, meditation, or prayer to release the emotional attachment. Visualize the bond dissolving.”
• Seek support: “If the soul tie feels deeply ingrained, working with a therapist can help address unresolved trauma or dependency issues.”
• Perform rituals for closure: “Some people find spiritual rituals helpful, such as writing a letter to the person (without sending it) or performing a symbolic act, like cutting a cord to represent severing the tie.”