Strong coupling in wave-based systems often causes level repulsion, leading to mode splitting and reduced response at the target frequency. This problem is pronounced in magnetic resonance imaging, where strong mutual inductance between a receive coil (RC) and a metamaterial (MM) degrades $B_1$ performance. Here, we introduce a non-Hermitian complex-coupling decoupling strategy based on a dual-resonator model. By engineering a phase delay in the coupling pathway, an imaginary coupling component is created, driving the system from the PT-symmetric to the anti-PT-symmetric phase and enabling eigenmode degeneracy without added dissipation. Implemented through a high-permittivity ceramic layer, this mechanism restores single-mode resonance in the MM-RC system and suppresses frequency splitting. Simulations indicate that the proposed strategy substantially mitigates the severe $B_1$ degradation in the strongly repulsive regime. The recovered $B_1$ efficiency corresponds to an approximately 14-fold increase relative to that worst-case condition, and to an approximately 1.4-fold enhancement relative to the standalone birdcage coil. This passive, compact, and hardware-compatible approach offers a general route for coupling control in electromagnetic, acoustic, optical, and quantum systems.

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• Medical magnetic resonance imaging
• Coupled oscillators
• Devices
• Metamaterials
• Non-Hermitian systems
• PT-symmetry
• Cavity resonators
• Magnetic resonance imaging