The Biology of Trauma® With Dr. Aimie (Dr. Aimie Apigian)

There is a lot of suffering when it comes to money. My guest today is going to help us answer the question: What is the connection between money, loneliness, and trauma? My guest is Kiné Corder, founder of Presidential Lifestyle, where she helps professionals get their mentality right around money to alleviate the suffering from this piece of their trauma story. Kiné came into my life and helped me become even more aware of how much my mentality, actions, and decisions around money were a result of childhood experiences and trauma.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Have you ever wondered if you could turn being a highly sensitive person into your superpower? My guest today is Dr. Natasha Fallahi, a chiropractic functional medicine physician who specializes in mind-body medicine to treat the whole patient, and she has done just that! Since many people identify with being an empath and/or a highly sensitive person, it is critical to know what is going on in the body and your nervous system and to know that they are related to stored trauma. This show will teach us the role trauma plays in highly sensitive people.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

In this episode of The Biology of Trauma, we discuss brain inflammation with Dr. Peter Kan, a chiropractic neurologist working to heal the gut and the brain. Without proper brain function, even the simplest tasks can become difficult to focus on. And often, what is described as brain fog, is caused by neural inflammation. Many of these symptoms can be attributed to normal aging, but are becoming more and more common in younger patients due to lifestyle factors. Often, we attribute head injuries to physical trauma, but your brain cannot distinguish between physical and psychological trauma, and both will set off the same neurological protocol. Like most neurological conditions, it can be difficult to catch in the early stages, so we are coming together to highlight common warning signs that you may be experiencing and how to address them. 

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Sleeping is when you heal. In this episode, we are going to be diving into Practical Tips For Better Sleep For Trauma Work. Sleep is an essential part of healing when working on trauma; yet stored trauma in the body can make it very difficult to get sleep. You will hear me discuss the topic with Misty Williams at the Biology of Trauma Summit 2.0.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more! 

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Of all the different aspects of trauma biology, brain inflammation is the one that will hold you back when it comes to the therapy, trauma work and personal development you’re trying to do. In this short episode, Dr. Aimie will share her top takeaways and action steps from episode 110 with Dr. Datis Kharrazian. She’l go into the biology behind brain inflammation in therapy and trauma work. 

You’ll hear more on:

• How brain inflammation shuts the body down
• The 3 levels that keep your body stuck
• The necessary repair tools for brain inflammation
  
  

Ready to clear your mind of brain fog? Listen to Episode 110: Clear Your Mind: How to Reduce Brain Fog & Mental Fatigue

Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

In this enlightening episode of the Biology of Trauma podcast, Dr. Aimie delves into the mysterious and transformative world of energy medicine. With the guidance of Donna Eden, a pioneer in the field of energy medicine, listeners will gain insights into the profound potential of energy medicine for healing and transformation. Donna shares her personal journey of overcoming multiple sclerosis and other health challenges using energy medicine, emphasizing the importance of understanding and balancing our body's energies. The episode aims to answer the question: How do we apply energy medicine for trauma healing?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

When there are physical symptoms involved, that is what you will learn about how unresolved trauma manifests physically in the body, and we must be careful to start in the right way. In this episode, I have with me Dr. Gabor Mate, who is a leader in seeing the body expressing stress and trauma, a family medical physician who also worked in palliative care and addiction medicine, and the author of When the Body Says No and Hungry Ghosts. We will be answering the big question - How does unresolved trauma manifest physically in our bodies and how can understanding this connection lead to profound healing? So, where do we start?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Throughout the Biology of Trauma Podcast, we discuss everything that goes into the biology of trauma, including emotional, psychological, and physiological components. Today, we will be focusing on the physiology of the nervous system with our guest, Dr. Stephen Porges. We are going to bridge the worlds between medicine, functional medicine, neuroscience, and trauma therapy. The big question we will answer is What does the polyvagal lens say about attachment, freeze, and functional diseases?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

What do ACEs show us about escapes from our pain?

In this episode we are going to talk about ACEs - Adverse Childhood Experiences - with Dr. Vincent Felitti. We will look at the history of ACEs, what they taught us about coping mechanisms, and how we hide our pain. 

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

If you have had trauma, early life trauma, what should you know about decreasing your risk for autoimmunity?

I have a distinguished guest for this episode, a leading expert in functional medicine, Dr. Tom O'Bryan, who holds teaching positions with the Institute of Functional Medicine and the National University of Health Sciences. Often referred to as the Sherlock Holmes for chronic disease, Dr. O'Bryan is a chiropractor who has dedicated his career to uncovering the underlying mechanisms that trigger immune responses. 

What you will learn in this episode:  

• The science of autoimmunity and dysregulated immune responses
• The influence of environmental toxins after trauma for the risk of autoimmunity
• The significance of predictive autoimmunity and early detection
• The role of you gut microbiome in regulating inflammation
• Whether you need to eat organic or not for decreasing your autoimmune risk
• Practical steps and specific changes to make today to prevent or reverse autoimmunity after a history of trauma

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

In this episode, featuring Cat Dillon, we discuss her experiences with bracing and hypervigilance as a result of childhood trauma. Cat Dillon’s personal journey of healing from the chronic bracing patterns and tension that began in her childhood and culminated in a panic attack while driving across a bridge was a turning point that led her to explore and understand her body’s needs better, ultimately guiding her towards a path of trauma healing. The insights provided in this episode are meant to resonate with listeners who may have similar experiences of trauma and stress, providing them with a sense of understanding and potential strategies for healing.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Are you or someone you know struggling with unexplained anxiety, fatigue, or reactivity? In this short episode, Dr. Aimie dives deep into the conversation she had with Dr. Neil Nathan in episode 113 about how hidden infections like mold toxicity and Lyme disease can create a "biology of threat" within your body.

She'll explore:

• How mold and Lyme can trigger physiological symptoms that mimic trauma responses
• The 3 interconnected systems that keep your body in constant threat mode
• Practical steps to regulate your nervous system and reduce sensitivity
  
  

Ready to learn more on how mold toxicity and Lyme disease can affect not just the body but the mind as well? Listen to Episode 113: Hidden Triggers: How Mold and Lyme Create A Sensitive and Reactive Personality with Dr. Neil Nathan

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

“A brain inflamed is a brain in overwhelm.” Do you know how head injuries affect one’s ability to do trauma work or somatic work? Do you know how to recognize brain inflammation and what kind of work that requires? Today, we are going to look at that with a first-hand account by Tori. Tori wasn’t always stuck in her trauma work. She was a marathon runner, a successful accountant, and managed her health issues well enough. But after she suffered a few head injuries, the past ten years have been very difficult. We are going to answer the question: How does brain fog and inflammation affect somatic trauma work?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Which meridian is the first one to balance in people with autoimmunity during their trauma recovery?

In this episode, I am joined by Donna Eden, a practitioner of Energy Medicine who applies energy work, medicine, and psychology to help those on the autoimmune path. Together we will discuss emotions that need to shift if people have autoimmunity, the first steps in balancing meridians and what that means, and tips for healers who work with those who have autoimmune issues and are trying to heal their trauma.

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

In this episode, Dr. Ameet will help answer the question of: What do professionals need to know about the liver for trauma work? The episode will cover the foundational principles of the mind-body connection, and then will take a deep dive into 4 organs and how they are impacted by trauma, as well as how they affect the body’s trauma response itself.  

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Is your health impacting the way you show up for work?

In this episode, I am joined by Sally Riggs, an entrepreneur, psychologist, and COVID long-haul coach. Together, we’ll discuss the interconnectedness of work and health and the strategies and principles you can use to keep going when your body is struggling with long-term health issues. 

You’ll hear more about:

• The impact chronic health challenges have on work and how work impacts health
• Using polyvagal theory to optimize your work and health
• The most common mistake made when working with the nervous system to improve health and work
• The #1 component for a business and what can sabotage it
• What will prevent your business from making a bigger impact in the lives of others
• How hidden emotions can negatively impact your work and health
• And more!

“ In order to think about grief, first you have to think about love and bonding, because that is what gets lost. That is what gets broken.”  Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor

Understanding why grief feels so physical, why someone still reaches for the phone to call someone who's gone, or why certain memories can trigger intense emotions years after a loss can provide valuable insight for those helping others who are experiencing grief or for those who want to know more about grief. And today, we’re diving into the neuroscience behind grief.

In this episode, Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor joins Dr. Aimie to discuss how grief isn't just an emotional response but a complex learning process as our brains adapt to a fundamentally changed reality. She introduces the critical distinction between grief and grieving, highlighting how our attachment patterns influence our grief journey. Her fascinating research on yearning reveals that this powerful sensation activates the same brain regions involved with other basic survival needs, explaining why the feeling can be so intense and overwhelming 

The conversation also goes into how avoidance and rumination can interfere with natural healing, and that the intensity and frequency of grief waves will change over time as part of the grieving process.

You’ll learn:

• The brain regions that activate when you yearn for someone who has died
• Why yearning is more like hunger or thirst than addiction
• The difference between grief (response) and grieving (adaptation process)
• How rumination and avoidance can interfere with natural healing
• The importance of staying grounded and connected to the present 
• How to prepare your brain and support systems for future grief experiences
• The crucial differences between depression and grief, and why they require different approaches

Whether you're currently navigating grief, supporting someone who is, or simply preparing for inevitable losses, this episode will help you understand why healing isn’t “getting over” a loss, but an ever evolving process that fundamentally changes our reality.

Connect with Dr. O’Connor:
Website

Related Podcasts:
Episode 42: Unlocking The Role of Disguised Grief in Health

 Episode 76: Navigating the Grief Journey: The Polyvagal Way To Become an Active Operator of Your Nervous System
 

Guides, Tools & Resources:
The Essential Sequence - A free guide that shows you the difference between stress and trauma states of our nervous system. In just 3 steps, it walks you through what your body needs when it has stored trauma or is in a freeze response.
 

Foundational Journey - If you want to be safely guided through The Essential Sequence, and lay your foundation of regulation in this online 6 week course, join me and my team of mentors for this journey into your inner world with practical somatic and parts self-practices

Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Comment Etiquette:
I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Please share your constructive feedback by using personal name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free, and let's keep the discussion positive!

Can lithium influence nervous system dysregulation?

In this episode, we are looking at lithium’s role on the nervous system. You will find that it needs to be central to the conversation for mental health, addiction, and the trauma healing journey, particularly its stabilizing effects on the nervous system.

I have brought in a guest whose work I have high respect for and helped me see the possibilities beyond mood medications for myself. Dr. James Greenblatt has been in clinical practice since 1988 and is the founder and pioneer in the field of integrative and functional psychiatry.

In this episode, you’ll learn the role of lithium in helping a dysregulated nervous system become more flexible, regulated and stable:

• Lithium's role in impulsivity 
• The interface between lithium and the immune system
• The use of lithium for depression, suicidal thoughts and addiction
• Why you should understand your family’s mental health history prior to considering lithium treatment
• What other symptoms might indicate the need for a lithium treatment
• How lithium interacts with other minerals like copper and zinc

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How do you use mirroring when wanting to hold the container for someone to safely go into their freeze response for healing?

This is the question that I answer in today’s Biology of Trauma Podcast. This episode is an excerpt from one of my professional development training sessions for those who become mentors and lead the breakout groups in the Foundational Journey. During this session, I chat with those group members about what mirroring is, how to use it to excite, subside, or maintain whatever the emotional state is, and how mirroring someone’s own words back to them creates a connection. I will also explain what to do when someone goes into a freeze state and how to be a safe place for that person.

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Why is it essential for you to do your own trauma work while also understanding the impact of collective trauma?

In this episode, I am joined by Thomas Hübl, a renowned teacher, author, and international facilitator whose lifelong work integrates the core insights of the great wisdom traditions and mysticism with the discoveries of science. Together, we will discuss how each person can create attuned and co-regulated relationships that are necessary for being trauma informed.

We talk more on: 

• Attachment’s role in our emotional responses as adults
• The impact of intergenerational and ancestral trauma on attachment 
• Strategies to stay regulated and connected in relationships
• Moving from distancing behaviors to being fully present in relationships
• The role of flow, stagnation and embodied practices in attachments
• And more!

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Preventing people from moving when something terrible happens is what makes trauma a trauma.

In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie dives into the biology behind why not being able to move (either physically or internally) can create trauma. She looks more closely at the moment in the trauma response that she calls "hitting the wall" - the pivotal point where we feel powerless and our physiology shifts from a stress response to a trauma response.

Dr. Aimie also explains that our neuroception (nervous system's perception) determines whether we take action or shut down, and this process isn't based on reality but on our perceived capacity against perceived danger. So when we feel overwhelmed, our nervous system prevents movement as a way to protect us.

You'll hear more about:

• The five steps of trauma response and why "the wall" is the most significant
• How our nervous system can block our own movement
• The biological factors that influence our capacity to respond vs. shut down
• And more!

If you're interested in understanding why you might "hit the wall" in everyday situations and how to support your body's capacity to respond differently, then this episode is for you!

For more on this topic, listen to the full conversation with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in Episode 116: The Body Keeps Score: How Trauma Rewires Your Nervous System

We hear the word “trauma” thrown around all the time, but what does it actually mean? The answer lies in our physiology, in our neurobiology. Today, I will be discussing the foundational biological aspects of trauma you need to know to understand your trauma responses, as well as what you can do about it.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Is there a missing biology link between trauma and chronic illness?

In this episode, I am joined by the one and only Gabor Maté. Gabor has spent his career exploring the connections between trauma, childhood development, and stress. It was his work that inspired me to pursue addiction medicine. Together, in part one of this series, we will discuss the lessons we’ve both learned around trauma and chronic illness.

We talk more about:

• Why chronic health conditions can be a sign of trauma & dysregulation
• How most chronic illnesses are less genetics and more trauma-driven
• The role copper plays in trauma and depression
• How trauma makes your body more susceptible to toxins
• The benefits of starting with regulation for chronic illness
• And more!
  
  

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

In response to overwhelm, the body tries to keep one safe in different ways. Sometimes our body feels so shaken and shocked that it makes our mind need to disconnect from the pain of it. This is called dissociating. 

Yet, the body still remembers what happened. The impact to our biology doesn’t go away just because we don’t understand or remember something. The impact is how the body keeps track of everything from out past. When we understand that our body is reacting because it is still holding onto something from the past, it can help us uncover what needs to be healed.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk joins Dr. Aimie in this episode to explore the profound nature of trauma - how it affects the body in ways that make it keep score. He explains why trauma is not just about the events but about how those experiences become engrained in our biology, creating patterns that persist long after the danger has passed. This in turn can make trauma something that is truly "unbelievable, unbearable, and overwhelming."

Our bodies are built to move when we're in danger. When we can't move during traumatic events, it changes how our brain works. This conversation looks at why this happens. It also explains how difficult experiences in childhood create patterns in our minds - like an inner roadmap - that shape how we see the world and connect with people as adults.

They’ll talk more on:

• Why trauma leaves people unable to articulate their experiences
• How dissociation works as a way to survive during overwhelming events
• Why the lack of movement during an event is what makes it traumatic
• The physical toll of living with a dysregulated nervous system
• Why healing must address the basic housekeeping functions of the body
• How trauma blocks our capacity to experience pleasure and worthiness
• And more!

If you're working with trauma professionally, supporting someone on their healing journey, or navigating your own recovery, this episode is excellent for understanding how the body keeps score while offering practical actions to reclaim agency, embody healing, and create a life worth living through curiosity and collaboration.

Guides, Tools & Resources:

• Steps to Identify and Heal Trauma: A Roadmap for Healing Trauma - Find out what trauma is, how to recognize it, and get simple steps to help you heal in this 23-page guide. It’s great for anyone who wants to understand trauma better or support others on their healing journey.
  
• Biology of Trauma (the book) - How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, and Overwhelm, and How to Heal It. With the foreword written by Dr. Gabor Mate, it is a book intended to change the conversation about how to heal on the deepest level, not just our mind, not just our body, but also our biology. Please join me for The Insider’s Circle where you can pre-order your copy and receive monthly readings with Dr. Aimie.  
  
• Foundational Journey - If you want to be safely guided through The Essential Sequence, and lay your foundation of regulation in this online 6 week course, join me and my team of mentors for this journey into your inner world with practical somatic and parts self-practices.  

Related Podcasts:

• Episode 7: Identifying And Treating Cooper Excess To Reserve Postpartum Depression With William Walsh
• Episode 90: Beyond Talk Therapy: Addressing the Biochemical Basis of Behavior & Changing Our Response
  
  

Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

This week's episode of the Biology of Trauma podcast explains the "five agreements" that we teach in our 21 Day Journey course. The episode answers the question: What are the five agreements that allow us to do group trauma work safely?

Want to hear more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more! 

Why are your trauma parts possibly making you sick?

Dr. Richard Schwartz began his career as a systemic family counselor and academic. This work led him to discovering that family therapy alone did not achieve full symptom relief and is what led him to developing Internal Family Systems (IFS). In this episode, we will discuss if your trauma parts are making you sick and what you can do about it!

You’ll hear more about:

• What parts work is and its importance in trauma healing
• The role of protector parts and how they can affect physical health 
• How the battle between parts can lead to physical symptoms and health issues
• The power of connecting with self to improve your health
• And more!

For more information about this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

What is the role of trauma in autoimmunity that leads us to a clear path forward for prevention or recovery?

This is the question that I answer in today’s Biology of Trauma Podcast. In this episode we are talking about autoimmunity and trauma. Trauma in all its forms - emotional, toxins, foods toxins, etc. - and the role it might play in switching on or off these so-called incurable conditions, such as MS or Hashimoto’s. My guest Palmer Kippola and I will talk about the three big root causes that influence autoimmunity, three main food groups to look at in relation to autoimmunity, and six environmental factors that we can control in relation to autoimmunity.

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How does mold and stored trauma in the body create a feedback cycle that makes us susceptible to the other?

Studies are confirming that common mental health symptoms, like depression and anxiety, are associated with brain inflammation. I want to share with you some two often overlooked sources of brain inflammation and emotional fragility, toxins from mold exposure and Lyme infection. More importantly, the feedback cycle that they create with stored trauma in the body. 

This is important because we have a mental health crisis with unprecedented numbers of anxiety, depression and related effects like, burnout. While we usually assume a person, place or situation is causing us stress, we want to consider the increasing amount of mold exposure and undetected chronic Lyme disease. Many are unaware of the association between the two and without knowing to investigate, get on a recommended mood and sleep medications that cause problems and are difficult to get off of later, and are addressing the real problem. 

My good friend Kirkland Newman, is my guest for this episode. She is a journalist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, who faced postpartum depression and couldn’t find answers in the traditional healthcare approach. So she did her own research and created Mindhealth 360 an integrative Mental Health website to be a resource on information for others also trying to find mental health solutions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How trauma responses from adverse childhood events cause brain inflammation 
• How brain inflammation can pre-dispose you to a long-haul syndrome with mold or Lyme 
• What mold does to our nervous system to lead to anxiety and depression
• How we might know if we have mold or Lyme toxins
• How to approach our trauma work or therapy when we also have mold or Lyme
• The different modalities we want to integrate for therapy

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Today on The Biology of Trauma, I share more of my story and why I chose to work in the field of trauma. It has to do with my grandfather and my father's stories...

Want to find out more information about this episode? Head to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Have you ever begun a trauma-healing journey, jumping straight to the healing part only to find that you have wasted time, money, and created more confusion than you solved? This is most likely because you skipped the first step. Today I will be sharing openly some of the mistakes that I’ve made, the lessons learned, and the main question we will focus on today: What is the one thing you NEED to do before processing trauma?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Welcome back as we continue with part two of our series on integrating somatic and parts work. If you missed part one, go check it out in Episode 36 and then come back. In this episode, we ask the question - What are the specific mind-body dialogue questions that help us connect to a part of us associated with a body sensation? To help us answer this question, I have invited three special people to share their specific mind-body dialogue questions that have helped them connect to themselves as they notice body sensations.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

In this episode, Dr. Joan Rosenberg joins me to explore the complex relationship between emotions, particularly disguised grief, and our overall well-being. Dr. Rosenberg is a psychologist and the author of 90 Seconds to a Life You Love: How to master your difficult feelings to cultivate lasting confidence, resilience, and authenticity. The episode is divided into two sections: the first delves into the concept of disguised grief and its impact on health, while the second offers strategies to manage emotional responses. Dr. Rosenberg shares her unique perspective on why we should lean into unpleasant feelings and how they serve protective purposes. The episode aims to answer the question: How do our emotions, particularly disguised grief, affect our biology and overall health?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Why are empaths more susceptible to experiencing trauma than most?

Are you a sensitive person? Are you an empath with a more sensitive and perceptive system?

What is happening is that our nervous system is more sensitive, receiving information that others don’t, feeling things that others don’t, which means having an uncontrollable body response to imperceptible changes in the environment.

Like being in a noisy crowd and not able to turn it off, our sensitivity can lead to overwhelm. Which leads to the hard truth, while being sensitive may be a superpower sometimes, it more often than not is overwhelming for our system and causes a trauma response in our body. Pretty soon we can be having emotional meltdowns, or physical health symptoms that are embarrassing or ones that we think are random.

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Judith Orloff to explore the ways in which this can lead to a greater susceptibility to trauma, as well as how to embrace the unique gifts that heightened sensitivity brings.

Dr. Orloff is a UCLA trained psychiatrist and has been called “the godmother of the empath movement”. She synthesizes traditional medicine with cutting-edge knowledge of intuition, energy, and spirituality, and believes in the power of integrating this wisdom.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why highly sensitive people are more prone to trauma 
• The different types of overwhelming situations an empath might encounter 
• The hidden needs of empaths
• Why empaths are more vulnerable to physical health symptoms 
• How this level of sensitivity can actually be a superpower
• Practical strategies for empaths, like sensory inventories and boundary setting, to not just survive but thrive

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How does unresolved trauma disrupt our sleep patterns, and what can we do about it?

I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael Breus, a double board-certified clinical psychologist and clinical sleep specialist. We’ll be discussing the profound effects of trauma on our sleep, exploring how our nervous system processes life experiences and their lasting impact on our rest. Dr. Breus will explain how trauma can disrupt sleep patterns, examine unique case studies from his practice and explore practical solutions for overcoming these challenges.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• How past traumas continue to affect sleep long after the event
• The importance of a felt sense of safety for falling asleep
• The link between freeze response, escapism and sleep and how to stop numbing in order to sleep
• How to discover your chronotype and improve your sleep cycle based on it
• How nightmares prevent emotional processing and how dream therapy can help individuals work through trauma 
• How trauma can make us feel 'wired and tired'
• 2 practical techniques for calming the mind and body before sleep

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

What is the impact of an early heart shock on our mind and body?

Most of the time we don’t even know we’ve experienced a heart shock. But even if we don’t know we’ve experienced one, it has already made an impact on our lives. In this episode, I discuss what a heart shock is, the impact it can make on our body and mind and why it’s so important that you be the hero of your own story.

You’ll learn more about:

• How early life heart shocks affect attachment and survival

• The deep impact heart shocks have on the body

• How heart shocks change the nervous system and neuroception

• The connection between early life heart shocks and adult diseases

• Recognizing the "part" of us affected by early life shocks

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

What is the best protection we can give our children as we raise them in a traumatizing world?

In this episode, we will be talking about parenting and the crisis of confidence so many parents face when it comes to knowing what our children need. As parents who do not want to pass along their own traumas to their children, we want to set them up to be happy and know inside themselves that the opinions and powers of others aren’t what dictates their worth. Dr. Gordon Neufeld is a developmental psychologist known for his work in with attachment and is joining us today. We will discuss the roots of attachment, several elements of parenting that are key to know, and how to raise those children in a traumatizing world. 

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Today on Biology of Trauma, we conclude our series with Dr. Arielle Schwartz on identifying trauma and addressing the freeze response. In this episode, we hear a story of hope from Laura Bautista, a 21-day journey graduate who recovered from MS by healing her trauma. 

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

How do our early experiences shape our ability to love, be loved and feel loved? 

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Frank Anderson, a Harvard trained psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author of To Be Loved, a memoir of his upbringing and life, Transcending Trauma, and coauthor of the Internal Family Systems training manual. Together we will discuss the relational trauma of not feeling loved in our early life, our own self-love, receiving love, and giving love to others. 

You’ll also hear more about:

• How trauma blocks love
• The different types of trauma we can experience as children
• How attachment trauma is related to neglect, not just abuse
• The importance of distinguishing between attachment and connection
• Why it can feel unsafe to connect with others authentically
• Two reasons why it will feel dangerous to feel good after early relational trauma
• Why we stay in unhealthy relationships
• And more!

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How to create the safety in my nervous system to sleep well?

In this episode, I am joined by Suzie Senk, functional medicine practitioner, holistic sleep specialist, speaker and author. Together we discuss not only the importance of sleep but how trauma (and an unsafe sleeping environment) can adversely affect the quality of your sleep.  

You'll hear more about:

• Understanding why individuals who have trauma experience a tougher time falling and staying asleep
• The importance of consistency in achieving better sleep
• What you should — and shouldn’t have — in your bedroom if you have trauma
• Exploring the role EMFs play in sleep health
• Discovering the ONE thing you need to know to get better sleep
• And more!

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Today on Biology of Trauma, I am joined by William Walsh, founder of the Walsh Institute. His mission is to bridge the gap between biochemistry and depression. In this episode, he expands on the interconnected relationship between genetics and epigenetics in utero. 

How can we repair the disconnection from trauma that causes disease?

In part two of this series, we continue our conversation on trauma and chronic illness with Gabor Maté. Gabor has spent his career exploring the connections between trauma, childhood development, and stress. Together, we discuss how trauma disconnects us from ourselves and others and creates dysregulation that drives illness. We explore how our bodies speak to us, and why trauma isn’t what happens to you, but your response to it. Reconnection and regulation are possible! 

You’ll hear more about:

• How disconnection is a survival adaptation

• The mistake I made and what I learned from it

• Why 80% of autoimmune disorders happen to women

• Changing our relationships in the world to heal our diseases

• Gabor’s personal practice of staying connected to himself

• And more!

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Welcome to the first episode of The Biology of Trauma podcast! Today we are getting to the root of the freeze response with Dr. Peter Levine, founder of Somatic Experience. Together we dive into exactly what causes a freeze response and why we evolved to have the mechanism in the first place.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

The reality is, most of us have a chronic health issue in addition to trauma.  Trauma and health issues go hand in hand. In this podcast episode, we are diving into the important question of: What to do when the protocols aren’t enough for resolving a chronic health issue? 

In today's episode, we will look at what happens when trauma becomes the operating system for the body and what to do about it.  When a chronic health issue is present, we can go wrong! You can’t out-supplement trauma, and your health professional isn’t going to have the tools to recognize when trauma is the roadblock for your body.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

“Sometimes, the very thing we need is the very thing that is hard to do.”  In Part 1 of our discussion with Dr. Ameet, we talked about the biology piece of addressing stored trauma. We focused on the liver and other vital organs, so make sure you give Part 1 (Episode 24) a listen. In Part 2, we are talking about somatic work and why slowing down and connecting with our bodies is essential.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

How does trauma impact the “hidden spaces” of our body, making emotions and toxins deeply connected?

Welcome to today's episode, where we're diving into a fascinating frontier of healing that might just explain why traditional approaches to trauma and chronic pain sometimes fall short. 

Whether you're a practitioner working with clients or patients or someone on your own healing journey, you've likely noticed that trauma and stress seem to leave their mark on the body in ways that talk therapy alone can't always reach. Maybe you've experienced or witnessed how emotional stress shows up as physical pain, or how physical treatments sometimes trigger unexpected emotional releases. 

There's a reason for this, and one reason lives in a part of your body that, until recently, has been largely overlooked: fascia and extracellular matrix.

Don't worry if these terms are new to you – we're going to break down these complex systems into practical understanding that you can use. What's exciting is that this knowledge bridges the gap between physical and emotional healing.

To help us understand this topic, I’m joined by my friend Dr. Christine Schaffner, a board-certified naturopathic physician and an expert in treating complex chronic conditions from her clinic in Seattle, where she uses innovative therapies that focus on the body’s natural ability to heal.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• How trauma is stored in the fascia and extracellular matrix
• How fascia impacts everything from chronic pain to emotional resilience
• Why lymphatic health needs to be part of trauma recovery 
• Why a detox can cause emotional reactions 
• How to safely approach detox 
• Practical simple steps to support your body’s healing process that you can do at home.

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Grief is something that everyone feels, but how they process it depends on their past history. So how do we know which way we experience grief?

There are challenges each of us must face and overcome based on our past experiences. These experiences will help decide what our grief looks like and if we will get stuck in grief. Today, Deb Dana, a polyvagal therapist, joins me to discuss grief, but in particular, what are Dorsal Days and how do we work these days to create life after loss!

You’ll hear more about:

• The three organizing principles of the nervous system and how they influence our unique way through grief 
• What not to ask someone who is grieving
• Asking this key question to become an active operator of your nervous system 
• The surprising equation our nervous system uses to create our grief reactions  
• Why dysregulation is a normal response and the key to returning to regulation
• The profound impact of our preexisting state on the grief response
• The most important thing to provide your nervous system during times of grief
• The role of glimmers in grief 

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Attachment and neurodevelopment is one of those topics people ask me about all the time! Today, I'm going to let you listen in on one of my master classes on attachment. The big question we have to ask – What attachment adaptations come from age 0 - 6 months? What if we have gaps or injuries in the first six months of life? Attachment is so much more than just relationships.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

What is the role of the autonomic nervous system specifically in chronic pain?

That is what we cover in this episode on the trauma behind chronic pain!  In this episode, I talk about chronic pain with Dr. Les Aria, a pain psychologist in practice for 19 years and co-founder of Menda health, a digital pain recovering platform, where he serves as the chief science officer. I invited him to this podcast episode because of his unique ability to explain chronic pain through the Polyvagal Lens.  

Please head over to the website to learn more about this episode.

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast:

Does growing up in chaos impact our nervous systems even as adults?

In this episode, we are looking at early childhood dynamics and how it’s expressed in adulthood through unconscious behaviors and coping mechanisms.

I have brought in a guest who is especially dear to my heart and has played a very significant and pivotal role in my own journey. Dr. Tian Dayton specializes in addiction and trauma, especially when it comes to speaking to the adult child of an alcoholic.

Dr. Dayton is also a leading voice in psychodrama, and she has a very incredible way of combining movement and the body with it, which gives her patients the opportunity to access different times in their past, be able to role play with them and give them a voice that they did not have before.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The kind of coping mechanisms we develop in response to early trauma
• The importance of integrating movement and emotional expression in therapy 
• The importance of physical touch and intimacy in early childhood development
• How perceived sense of danger can lead to a collapse in the nervous system
• What kind of environments provide the structure needed for trauma resolution

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Have you thought about how you should integrate somatic work and parts work and how that integration actually happens? Then you are in luck! That’s what we are covering today. In the 21 Day Journey, we start off with parts work - what is it you are actually feeling in your body. This helps us incorporate and mix the two so we are doing somatic parts work, rather than focusing on either one on its own. Today, we will answer the question: How do we integrate the two by connecting to the part behind a body sensation and how does that help us?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

How do we begin to have secure attachments as adults?

We develop our attachment style in childhood and there are 3 different types of attachment. But how do we know what our attachment style is and how it impacts our life? One of them, secure attachment, iI’ve only seen a few times in my life. The other two styles are what most of us tend to be and that’s ok! But how can we move from these styles into secure attachments? That’s the question I’ll be answering on today’s episode.

You’ll hear more about:

• The basics of attachment styles and their impact on our lives
• How our nervous system influences our attachment patterns
• The journey from insecure to secure attachment
• The role of somatic work, parts work, and addressing biology in healing attachment issues
• Insights into "earned secure attachment" and what it means to work towards it
• And more!

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

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Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

How is trauma work different when there is a syndrome involved?

Today, I’m delighted to bring you another episode featuring Dr. Peter Levine. Dr. Levine is the Developer of Somatic Experiencing® and the Founder of both the Ergos Institute of Somatic Education and Somatic Experiencing International. Together, we will discuss how stored trauma can lead to syndromes and the somatic solutions that can help.

You’ll hear more on:

• The main element in your body that drives all syndromes
• Why somatic work is one of 3 pillars of stored trauma
• What every physician should know about syndromes
• The role of childhood trauma in chronic syndromes
• What dysautonomia is (and its role in syndromes)
• The key to somatic work with any and all syndromes
• And more!

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How do we love our adopted children to help them overcome trauma and create change?

In this episode, we will be talking about parenting children with trauma surrounding their early life experiences, specifically focusing on adoption. We will be debunking some common myths surrounding adoption, look at how adoption trauma can be expressed in behaviors, and the importance of relationship repair. Our guest this week is childhood expert, therapist, and author of Scared Sick: The role of childhood trauma in adult diseases, Robin Karr-Morse.

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

In this episode, I want to teach on an important topic that is either commonly misunderstood or just missed, muscle bracing patterns that have their origins in our attachment style. 

I am teaching on how to recognize attachment bracing adaptations to answer the one question How does our attachment create bracing patterns in our body to protect us from pain? 

This is important because these same bracing patterns will affect both our breath and our freeze response - our shut down in the face of certain emotions. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognise bracing patterns
• Which emotions bracing helps protect us from
• How bracing patterns developed during our attachment years to protect our physiology
• How bracing patterns affect the breath
• The relationship between bracing patterns and the freeze response

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Today, on Biology of Trauma, I welcome back William Walsh as we continue our conversation on epigenetic conditions and depression. Depression is generally presumed to be a serotonin deficiency, but that is just one of 5 distinct neurochemical imbalances. In this episode, we explore these five forms of depression and how each requires its own specialized treatment.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

If you have ever found yourself asking why you feel so tired all the time, you might not be asking the right question. In order to get to the right question, I am sharing an interview I did with Dr. Evan Hirsch, a good friend and colleague physician of mine who has had a remarkable journey recovering from chronic fatigue. In this episode, we will look into the right question: Am I tired, or is it trauma? 

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Is it possible to heal trauma on your own or does it take a village?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. James Gordon, a Harvard educated psychiatrist and Founder and CEO of the nonprofit, The Center for Mind-Body Medicine. We will discuss the devastating impact untreated trauma can cause, the importance of relationships in your healing journey, and why you need to find a self care strategy that works for YOU!

Here’s what you will learn in this episode:

• The Three P's of trauma healing
• How self care makes changes in your physiology and your nervous system
• What you will experience if you work on healing yourself first
• The power in realizing trauma is a universal experience (and how this can help you heal!)
• How doing the work can transform your life
• Why you need to be intentional in your own healing
• And more!
  
  

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Are you or those you help seemingly doing all "right things" but still feeling stuck? That competitive drive, those controlling tendencies, or that persistent anxiety might actually be rooted in our biochemistry. 

In this episode, Dr. Aimie sits down with Dr. Jason Loken to explore how hidden biochemical imbalances can create patterns of depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges that talk therapy alone cannot resolve. Dr. Loken shares how under-methylation, a copper-zinc imbalance, and pyroluria can fundamentally affect your physical and mental well-being.

They’ll also discuss why certain traits run in families, how a copper-zinc imbalance can affect postpartum mental health, and why some children struggle with focus and emotional regulation. Dr. Loken breaks down the science behind these biochemical patterns, explains how these biochemical imbalances can be identified, and shares actionable steps for addressing the root cause of these imbalances.

They’ll talk more about:

• How under-methylation is connected to depression and anxiety
• The behavioral traits commonly associated with under-methylation (competitiveness, control issues, obsessive compulsive tendencies, etc.)
• How to properly test for methylation imbalances 
• How a surge in copper levels during pregnancy can lead to postpartum mood disorders
• Why "managing stress better" is nearly impossible with certain imbalances
• How pyroluria strips the body of key nutrients that help create the feel good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine 
• The connection between these biochemical imbalances and autoimmune conditions
• And more!

Whether you're a practitioner looking for more comprehensive approaches to mental health, a parent concerned about your child's behavior, or someone personally struggling with persistent symptoms, this episode offers valuable insights into how balancing your biochemistry might be the key to finally feeling like yourself again.

Guides, Tools & Resources:

• 3 Most Common Biochemical Imbalances - Discover the common biochemical imbalances that are frequently at the core of mood and trauma patterns. Learn how these imbalances are identified and addressed to help improve emotional well-being.
• Biology of Trauma (the book) - How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, and Overwhelm, and How to Heal It. Please join us in the Insider’s Circle where you can pre-order your copy and receive monthly readings with Dr. Aimie.  

Related Podcasts:

• Episode 90: Beyond Talk Therapy: Addressing the Biochemical Basis of Behavior & Changing Our Response
• Episode 92: ​​How Chaos of Early Childhood Trauma Affects Our Adult Nervous System

Related Youtube Videos: 

• The Copper to Zinc Ratio You Need For Healing From Trauma
• Are You Predisposed to Trauma?

Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Have you ever wondered why you are so reactive - to people, foods, smells, sounds and stress - while other people around you seem completely fine? 

You are going in overdrive or even going into overwhelm, and think you just must be having a bad day or looking for what triggered you. 

The answer might surprise you. A specific cell of your immune system, mast cells, could be actually causing trauma responses in your body, putting you into emotional states, that have less to do with the people around you and more with a compound those cells release, histamine.  

Today we're tackling a commonly overlooked underlying reason for anxiety. We will be answering the question, How do mast cell activation and mold toxicity keep us stuck in our responses and triggers to trauma?

Before we dive in, I want to dedicate this episode to the loving memory of our guest Beth O'Hara, who passed away in July 2024. 

Beth was a pioneering functional naturopath who transformed countless lives through her work with Mast Cell 360, helping people understand and heal from complex cases of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), mold toxicity, and related conditions. She was a friend to me and I am sad to not have more time and conversations with her.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to recognize if histamine is driving your anxiety 
• Why mold exposure can keep your body stuck in trauma responses long after exposure
• How mast cells bridge your immune system and emotional overwhelm
• Why and how mast cells will block your ability to create inner safety 
• Practical tools to decrease reactivity and build resilience

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

 In this episode, Bo Eason, former NFL player, speaker, and author, and I discuss the role of physicality and self-expression in effective communication, parenting, and relationships. This episode answers this one question: What’s the connection between the state of your nervous system, your physical presence, and your ability to communicate well?

Want to hear more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more! 

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

How can we effectively harness our stress response and work with our freeze response to achieve sustained, high and healthy performance?

Our focus today is on Olympian level of performance. In a world that gives us the message that we need to manage our stress, actually, that may not be what we want to do. We are going to look at our stress physiology through the lens of high performance, because let’s face it, trauma work and personal development can be like Olympian performance for us. It’s hard, it’s long, and we want to know how to use our stress response to help us accomplish the changes we want in our life. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• The 2 important measures of performance: activation physiology and recovery capacity
• The importance of mastering both stress activation and recovery
• The role of routines and biological rhythms in optimizing performance
• Overcoming the guilt and discomfort associated with taking time to rest
• How the messages behind physical health symptoms like shingles or adrenal fatigue are not messages just of stress and what those messages are
• What relationship you need to have with your freeze response for optimal performance
• Techniques to increase your ability to handle high-stress situations without compromising your well-being

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Have you ever wondered if you have an addiction? Maybe you have openly struggled with one or know someone with one?

As an addiction medicine physician, there are more people than the studies estimate who live with an addiction, either because they don’t know yet or because no one is asking them the questions to have it be documented.

People pull me aside at social events and want to ask me if they have an addiction to their prescription pills for sleep, anxiety or pain or to things like work, exercise and adrenaline. 

I wanted to share this specific episode on addiction and its antidote connection because the risk for addictions is higher than ever. 

Our modern world - with increased isolation, social media dependency, and decreased authentic community - creates conditions that make addiction more likely. The increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and overwhelm in our society mean more people are vulnerable to using addictive behaviors as coping mechanisms. In fact, it is a hidden epidemic. Many people are "functional addicts" without recognizing it because society normalizes various addictive behaviors. This makes it critical for each of us to understand the underlying patterns that drive addiction. Whether it is to be mindful of our own vulnerability or to navigate recovery with better success than the traditional approaches, addiction is something we all need to understand now. 

I'm honored to share a powerful conversation with Joe Polish, founder of Genius Network® and Genius Recovery. Joe's journey from nearly losing everything to addiction to becoming one of the world's most connected entrepreneurs offers hope and practical wisdom for anyone touched by addiction - whether personally or through loved ones. We will be answering the question, “How does creating genuine connection and safety accelerate healing from addiction?”

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How addiction is a survival strategy to disconnect from the pain of stored trauma in the body
• The four essential pillars for sustainable recovery: community, biochemistry, environment, and trauma work
• Why unlearning harmful patterns is often more important than learning new ones
• Practical tools to move from shame into courage
• How to build genuine connections that will buffer us from an addiction and support long-term healing for those in recovery

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How can authenticity help us heal from trauma and achieve deeper, more intimate relationships?

Dr. Aimie Apigian is joined by Dr. Peter Levine, the pioneer of Somatic Experiencing, to discuss how trauma disrupts our connection to our authentic selves, which in turn affects our ability to form deep, meaningful relationships. Together, they will explain how we can begin to restore deep intimacy and connection with others through the practice of somatic healing. Allowing for genuine intimacy and presence in our lives after having experienced trauma.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• How trauma disrupts our authentic self and impacts our relationships
• The significance of authenticity and human connection when it comes to healing this trauma
• How to achieve greater intimacy through authenticity
• How a dysregulated nervous system impacts our ability to achieve our goals and strategies how to manage this
• The connection between the flow state and authenticity
• The importance of authenticity and self-awareness in personal growth

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Are you or someone you know feeling stuck in trauma patterns despite years of therapy and personal work? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie is answering a question about whether there might be a biological component hindering a persons attachment repair progress.

Dr. Aimie will buliding off of her conversation with Dr. Jason Loken in Episode 115. She'll be diving deeper into the 3 common biochemical imbalances that can keep people trapped in nervous system dysregulation.

You'll hear more about:

• How under-methylation works and it's symptoms
• How a copper excess can create a toxic environment for the nervous system and is strongly connected to postpartum anxiety and depression
• How pyroluria makes the nervous system hypersensitive and reactive 

Ready to discover if biochemistry might be holding back your healing journey? Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Loken on Episode 115: 3 Biochemistry Findings Behind Mood & Mental Health Struggles.

Other resources mentioned in this episode:
3 Most Common Biochemical Imbalances - Discover the common biochemical imbalances that are frequently at the core of mood and trauma patterns. Learn how these imbalances are identified and addressed to help improve emotional well-being.

Today on Biology of Trauma, Alex Howard joins us for part two of our discussion on addressing stored trauma. I learned quickly through my clinical work that before you can address the biological aspect of trauma, you must stabilize the nervous system.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Today on Biology of Trauma, we explore the neurological repercussions of modern parenting practices in part 2 of our discussion with Bette Lamont. With the development of modern convenience, our culture has sought to make child-rearing convenient, forgetting that we are shepherding the emergence of a soul from predetermined activities that will prompt brain development. By neglecting or rushing the intuition of development, you deprive the child of the opportunity to develop integral cognitive functions and form the bonds that will help them grow into healthy and stable adults.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Today on Biology of Trauma, Dr.Arielle Schwartz, Ph.D., joins us to discuss stored trauma in the body and how it inevitably leads to self-sabotage. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and author of 6 books addressing a mind-body approach to overcoming PTSD. She details just how much of your behavior is influenced by unconscious signals perceived by the nervous system and how building awareness of your body heals your mind. 

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

 In this episode we’re going to talk about women’s health - specifically around how trauma affects womens’ hormones. We will discuss how if you feel something is off, it probably is, the wrong advice doctors are giving about hormones, and the times in our lives when we are more prepared to deal with past traumas due to hormonal changes. We will also cover why the term “estrogen dominance” is misleading and the two main hormones that are really affecting you (and they aren’t estrogen and progesterone!).

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

 In this episode of the Biology of Trauma podcast, we are looking at how we change lifelong patterns in our body, how long it takes to notice a shift in those patterns, and what we need to do to make those changes stick. This episode is broken down in two parts: 1) I begin with an overview of the first part of my Foundational Journey - the 21 Day Journey and what participants can expect, and 2) I welcome participants of the 21 Day Journey program to share their personal experiences and transformations. Our main question for this episode is: How quickly can lifelong patterns in our body change?

Want to hear more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more! 

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

“Trauma? I don’t have trauma, right?” Have you said this to yourself or heard others say it? Today, we are going to break it down so you can figure it out. My guest today is Rhonda, a 23-year veteran of the police department from Chicago, Illinois. Rhonda will break down for us how she went from The Energizer Bunny to healing her body’s stored trauma after a serious health crash with the help of my 21 Day Journey. 

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

"Food is not supposed to be a battle." What is the truth you need to know about grains and gluten? To help answer this question for you on the Biology of Trauma™ Podcast, I interview two Functional Medical experts, Dr. Peter Osborne and Dr. Tom O’Bryan about the impact grains and gluten have on your body. Whether for you, your clients, or someone you know, this is the truth you need to know.

Want to find out more information about this episode? Head to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

What is causing us false anxiety (anxiety that isn’t caused by anything that is wrong)?

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Ellen Vora, board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, yoga teacher, and author of The Anatomy of Anxiety. Together we will discuss something that could save your life - stress and anxiety, and especially false anxiety. We are talking about stress and trauma, mood medications and managing withdrawals of anxiety, how trauma is “brain indigestion,” and where to start addressing your anxiety.

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

What is the connection between attachment, autoimmunity and fatigue? The answer… your nervous system!

Many practitioners have noticed there has been an uptick in those who are experiencing autoimmunity. What's causing this uptick? In this episode, I’m discussing how the nervous system, and more specifically the freeze response, is connected to attachment, autoimmunity, and fatigue.

You’ll hear more about: 

• The 3 normal stress responses
• How the freeze response is a component of the stress response both mentally and physically
• How the freeze response contributes to autoimmune conditions and fatigue
• Why working on your nervous system 
• Common symptoms of the freeze response
• What role do early attachment relationships and traumatic events play in shaping an individual’s stress responses
• Ways to increase your awareness of your stress responses and explore strategies for managing them effectively

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

What can we do about the brain inflammation that holds us back in fog, fatigue and trauma responses? 

To help answer that question and share brain inflammation with you is my guest, Dr. Austin Perlmutter, is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher, and the executive director for Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company focused on helping people rejuvenate health through better immune function.

In the evolving field of trauma therapy, we're increasingly recognizing that healing isn't just about processing memories or changing thought patterns. The application of The Biology of Trauma lens is that it is just as much about addressing the impact trauma has had on our biology, which now keeps us stuck in our trauma responses. 

One crucial aspect of this biological impact is brain inflammation. It is one of the most common yet most overlooked gatekeepers of trauma healing. Brain inflammation creates many of the symptoms that people attach to their trauma responses, yet often is what is triggering those trauma responses. Yes, you heard me right. It is not just people, places that can trigger our trauma response. It is also a specific immune cell in our brain - microglia. 

In this episode, you’ll learn why:

• Good insights from therapy seem to fade by the next day
• Small stresses feel overwhelming to your brain
• What you eat affects how well you can process emotions
• Relationship conflicts leave you mentally exhausted
• Your diet can dysregulate you just as much as your partner
• Your mind feels clearer in nature than in therapy

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Does the overwhelm and experience of trauma create a pre-existing state in our nervous system that sets the stage for chronic pain conditions?

In this episode, we will be talking about chronic pain as a message from our body. Part of an unconscious protective response learned by nerve pathways rather than a physical abnormality.

While chronic pain can be traced back to an injury or event, the science suggests  chronic pain is caused by our brain’s attempt to protect us from unbearable emotions. In fact, this purpose of protection is at the root of many common complaints, including back pain, sciatica, migraines, fibromyalgia and many other symptoms. 

I have an incredible guest for this episode, Georgie Odlfield, a physiotherapist and chronic pain specialist, who has been a real leader in this space. Georgie is a TEDx speaker and the author of Chronic Pain: Your Key to Recovery. She is a woman, steady and strong in her leadership in trauma-informed care for chronic pain. 

I first came across her work when I sought out training in psychosomatic medicine while in preventive medicine residency. I had just switched out of general surgery and knew that I wanted to lean in more into the root cause of conditions that I had only previously been taught to treat with a pill or surgery. This is how I came across these leaders in the space, and have been happy to see Georgie provide such value and community for those with chronic pain and practitioners who work with chronic pain.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How chronic ongoing pain or recurring symptoms can actually be neuroplastic mind body symptoms
• How to ask questions that will help you get to the root of your chronic pain symptoms and release them 
• Why somebody is more likely to develop chronic pain after having an acute injury and the predisposing factors for this
• How chronic pain can be the body’s protective response to keep us from falling apart emotionally
• How to communicate with your body, and not just hear but also understand the answers it’s giving you

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

* Trigger warning for suicide and sexual trauma*

Today’s Question: What role does sexual grief play in the trauma-healing journey? 

This is what we answer in today’s episode. Together with my good friend, Edy Nathan, who is an author, public speaker, and licensed therapist in New York City, we take a deep dive into understanding what sexual grief is. In defining the sexual grief effect, Edy brings to light the profound impact of sexually traumatic experiences on individuals. This grief is not static; it evolves, shifts shape, and manifests uniquely in each person. By applying techniques from internal family systems and somatic parts work, we learn to engage in intentional, transformative conversations with the different parts of ourselves.

Head over to the Dr. Aimie's website to learn more about this episode: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Today on Biology of Trauma is our final interview with William Walsh as we continue our conversation on copper excess, undermethylation and Pyroluria. We discuss how difficult it is to identify and treat neurochemical imbalances correctly.  Many mood disorders are being misdiagnosed as trauma. Environmental stress can exacerbate a neurological condition but ignoring the biological aspect keeps patients suffering longer. 

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Is our biology predisposing us to addictive tendencies?

Addiction isn’t just about willpower—it’s deeply rooted in biology.  Today, we dive into how our own biology can make it easier to fall into an addiction and make it harder to break free. Why is that though? Because it gives us leverage points to both prevent or treat addictions.

Similar to trying to treat trauma just with therapy and not including the biology, addictions is a mind-body and biology condition and will require such an approach for the best outcomes.

The late Dr. Charles Gant, who was our guest for this episode, achieved an 83% success rate in addiction recovery—far surpassing conventional methods that have less than a 50% success rate. By targeting neurotransmitter imbalances, detoxifying the body, and optimizing nutrition, his method offers a revolutionary path to true healing beyond traditional treatment.

To honor him, this conversation highlights his outstanding efforts in understanding and overcoming addiction.  

You’ll learn more about:

• Why relapse is more often a result of unaddressed biological imbalances
• How genetic vulnerabilities and neurotransmitter deficiencies contribute to addiction and coping patterns
• What you can do to naturally to improve mood and focus
• How detoxification can accelerate recovery and create long-term healing

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

On today’s episode, I am interviewing Irene Lyon, a nervous system specialist using somatic work to promote neuroplasticity in those suffering from trauma. She explains how people are becoming functionally frozen from even the most innocuous events throughout their childhood. We now understand that, even in infancy, trauma disrupts our developing nervous systems often as a result of the disillusionment of the mother and child bonding process. 

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Are you ready to unlock your brain’s hidden power? Today, Dr. Aimie will be taking a closer look at the key takeaways from her conversation with Dr. Greg Kelly. She will be going into the biology behind the brain’s capacity and what you can do to improve yours.

She’ll talk about:

• Removing stressors that are taking up brain capacity 
• Why creating more brain capacity is key long-term 
• Simple tools to increase your capacity  
  
  

If you want to know more about how you can reduce stressors and increase mental bandwidth, listen to Episode 111: Unlock Your Brain’s Hidden Power: Reduce Stress and Stop Burnout

Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Have you ever felt like stress is draining your energy, focus, and resilience—no matter how much you try to manage it? What if stress isn’t just about what’s happening around you, but about how your brain and body process it behind the scenes?

In this episode, Dr. Greg Kelly joins Dr. Aimie to dive into the hidden biology of stress and uncover how it consumes your mental bandwidth, disrupts your brain’s energy supply, and impacts your ability to think clearly and recover from challenges. You’ll discover how your brain’s prediction systems influence your stress response—and, more importantly, how to work with them to prevent burnout and build lasting resilience.

Dr. Kelly is an expert in integrative and functional medicine with years of experience researching how the brain and body handle stress. He has worked extensively on strategies to enhance resilience, combining his deep knowledge of neurobiology, nutrition, and the body’s natural stress-response mechanisms.

If you’re ready to stop feeling like stress is always one step ahead of you, this conversation will give you the tools to take back control and create more space for clarity, focus, and well-being in your life.

In this episode, we will be talking about 

• "The last straw" concept as it relates to stress 
• The 2 biggest contributors to feeling stress overload (hint: it’s not physical)
• Why predictability is key to managing stress levels
• How building resilience starts with addressing the brain’s energy needs and reducing oxidative stress.
• How the right supplements, like Ashwagandha, can support resilience and reduce stress
• And more!

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How can tapping on specific points on the body help regulate the autonomic nervous system and promote holistic wellness?

 I'm really excited for this episode because we're talking about acupuncture and meridian points on our body as a tool to work with our trauma. 

We're going to hear the powerful story of Jennifer Partridge, a friend of mine, who found EFT tapping and it changed her life and helped to reverse her colitis. The outcome was so profound that she made it her life's purpose to empower others through tapping and the gift of emotional mastery that it brings.

Jennifer is a world renowned tapping expert, author and speaker. Not only will she explain how to use tapping to reduce physical symptoms and relax the nervous system, but she'll also explain how she uses tapping to enliven the system and tap into your purpose. 

In this episode, you will learn about:

• The possibilities with tapping and reducing various physical health problems
• How to integrate Chinese medicine, energy healing and Western medicine
• How trauma affects the autonomic nervous system and why this leads to chronic health issues
• Methods to create a safe environment that allow us to access and work through buried traumas
• How tapping techniques can help with inner child work
• Understand the importance of setting energetic boundaries to prevent the absorption of others’ stress and emotions

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

What does it mean that our behaviors, conscious and unconscious, serve as state propellers, actually giving us exactly what we need in the moment, whether energy or numbing and disconnecting?

By answering this question in this episode, you will not only come to understand yourself better, and why you reach for that second or third cup of coffee or binge watch T.V. shows, but it will give you  new eyes to understand addictions and their recovery.  It will be a window into your own inner world and felt sense of safety or danger. 

We will explore emotional regulation and the states of the nervous system through the lens of addictions. One of the reasons I chose to become an addiction medicine physician was because of what I would be able to learn about trauma and the nervous system, and how the body adapts to survive and function despite inner pain. 

That is why it was important for me to bring you this episode with my friend and guest, Dr. Janet Winhall, an author, teacher and psychotherapist. Author of ‘Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why current pathologizing model for treating trauma and addiction is failing
• The important distinction between neuroception and interoception
• How behaviors and substances can be state regulation strategies 
• Why it’s important to include body-mind connection in addiction recovery treatment 
• How to connect with your body and allow yourself to feel without numbing or disassociating
• How chronic conditions may be treated with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model
• Practical strategies on how to apply the Felt Sense practice in everyday life

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Is it possible to use our anxiety as a way to help us?

In this episode, I am joined by Emma McAdams, a licensed marriage and family therapist who has worked in settings such as juvenile corrections, adventure therapy programs, high schools, and wilderness therapy programs. Together, we will discuss the difference between stress and anxiety, why anxiety actually isn’t a bad thing, and what to do when you start to feel anxiety in your body.


You’ll hear more about:

• The behavioral patterns at the root of anxiety
• The different forms of avoidance and how they contribute to anxiety
• What’s actually causing your anxiety (hint: it’s not the TRIGGER!)
• How to know you are being affected by hidden anxiety
• The kinds of messages that you can get from anxiety
• What to do if you wake up in the middle of the night and feel anxious
• And more!

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How do I need to be to safely guide myself or another through the trauma healing journey?

In this episode, I am joined by Licia Sky, an artist, singer-songwriter, and bodyworker who works with traumatized individuals and trains mental health professionals to use Embodied Self Experience in movement, theater exercises, writing, and voice as tools for attunement, healing, and connection. Together we will discuss embodiment, what it is and which emotions we need to do it, along with becoming a strong leader for others going through a trauma journey. Finally, we will discuss attunement and trust within the healing journey.

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Why should medicine consider trauma as a diagnosis of inclusion and not just when nothing else is found wrong?

The failure to recognize and treat the stored trauma that drives many patients' health challenges has profound and far-reaching consequences. It perpetuates a cycle of ineffective care. It worsens patient outcomes and undermines the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system. As a medical physician and also one who has been this type of patient, this episode and the Trauma-Informed Medicine Project coming out of this was really important to me. 

One of the key problems is that trauma manifests in diverse ways across multiple bodily systems, making it difficult to identify as the common thread. Patients may present with a range of symptoms such as migraines, chronic pain, digestive issues, sleep problems, and mood disorders. 

Rather than recognizing these as interconnected signs of nervous system dysregulation stemming from trauma, the medical system often compartmentalizes the symptoms, referring patients to various specialists to treat each one in isolation. This leads to a "medical merry-go-round" where patients bounce from one provider to the next, undergoing test after test, without ever getting to the root of their issues. 

Which is why I bring in Dr. Jorina Elbers, a board certified physician in neurology with a masters in epidemiology and former assistant professor and pediatric neurologist at Stanford University. She has authored over 25 research articles and book chapters, and really focuses on what's going on in the nervous system in regards to stress and trauma and how to recognize it. She is currently the director of the Trauma Recovery Project at the Heart Math Institute and runs her own trauma sensitive neurology clinic. 

In this episode, you will hear Dr. Elbers journey of how she discovered the critical link between trauma, stress, and neurological disorders. You will hear how she started asking better questions of her patients, uncovering stories of family trauma from her patients and just what to do especially when labs and tests show nothing wrong.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to ask better questions that lead to discovering the true causes behind seemingly inexplicable diagnoses
• What tools can healthcare practitioners integrate into consultations to uncover patient’s trauma history and why this is so important 
• The importance of including trauma in differential diagnoses, especially when conventional medical tests don’t reveal a clear cause.
• How to move away from treating symptoms on a neurotransmitter level and into treating the whole nervous system
• The autonomic nervous system and heart rate variability
• Medical trauma from procedures and treatments that actually contribute further to symptoms and chronic conditions

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

“Biology of Trauma helped me grow through life, not just go through life.” Which trauma tools can increase a counselor’s revenue without advertising? To answer this question on the Biology of Trauma™ Podcast, I have invited Manisha Bilimoria, a counselor living and working in Sri Lanka and an alumnus of my 21 Day Journey, among other courses, to share her inspiring story of her own unknown health issue, financial distress, and more importantly her willingness to do her own trauma work in order to make a difference in the pain and fear we see around us.

Want to find out more information about this episode? Head to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

How can we build resilience to stress and trauma at a physiological level in addition to psychological level?

I am joined by Ari Witten, a natural health expert and founder of The Energy Blueprint. Ari is the best-selling author of "The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy" and "Eat for Energy: How to Beat Fatigue and Supercharge Your Mitochondria for All-Day Energy." With a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, certifications in corrective exercise and performance enhancement, and extensive graduate-level training in clinical psychology and human nutrition, Ari brings a wealth of knowledge on human energy optimization. His expertise in cellular processes and physiological resilience is unparalleled.

In this episode, we will explore:

• Whether physiological resilience is actually more important than psychological resilience
• How trauma responses occur not just on a psychological level, but also on a cellular and mitochondrial level
• The difference between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth
• Can the right amount of stress actually build resilience instead of breaking us down
• How your environment and lifestyle factors affect trauma and resilience
• Practical strategies to enhance physiological resilience, including regular exposure to manageable stressors like exercise, sun exposure, and cold plunging

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Are your attachment pains and patterns impacting not only your relationships, but also your nervous system and overall health?
 

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Diane Poole-Heller, an internationally recognized speaker, author, and expert in the field of attachment theory and trauma resolution. Together, we will discuss attachment and how it influences the way your form and maintain relationships, communicate (or don’t!), and what you can do to start moving towards a secure attachment and healthier relationships! 

You’ll hear more about:

• Defining attachment based on your biology
• How the nervous system gets confused when connection isn’t always safe
• The markers and milestones that indicate you’re moving towards a secure attachment 
• What it means when you ghost people
• Why you can’t just think your way out of your attachment and relationship patterns
• Building new relational skills for connection and authenticity
• And more!

For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Whether for you or your work, it is crucial to know what is going on in the body and nervous system. In this episode, you will learn about the vagus nerve, parasympathetic state, and its connection to stored trauma. Today, we will answer the question: What is the parasympathetic state and why does it matter?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to find out more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Have you noticed the difference between how your body feels during times of stress versus times of trauma? Maybe not! When we are stressed, we feel energy. We are figuring things out and getting things done. But trauma mode is different. In this episode taken from one of my Masterclasses, we are going to discuss the three surprising ways our bodies communicate trauma. Not listening to our body’s “check engine light” comes at a cost, so let’s dive in and see where we can make changes.

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

As you know, this is a very special episode. We're both at the two year anniversary and the 100th podcast episode, and what a milestone. I'm even surprised and shocked at how much content I've been able to put out into the world through this podcast, and I'm very grateful and humbled and honored that I get to do that.

To celebrate this special episode, I wanted to bring in some amazing women around the world who have really been doing this inner journey and work with their nervous system. And I invited these three because they are both so unique and different from each other, and yet, they've all had incredible shifts and insights as they have learned about their nervous system and learned how to work with it, develop a very different relationship with their body and have tools for repair that has allowed them to experience more regulation in their life, and we're going to hear about how that's opened things up for them.

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Did you know your body's connective tissues might be trapping trauma and toxins? In this short episode, Dr. Aimie is sharing valuable insights from her episode with Dr. Christine Schaffner. She talks about the biology behind how trauma manifests in the body through the extracellular matrix, fascia, and lymphatic system. 

You’ll hear more on:

• How these connective tissues work
• The healing sequence to follow to start your healing journey
• Which system to address first when looking at stored trauma

If you want to more fully understand this topic, head over to Episode 108: How The Body Stores Emotional Trauma in the Fascia and Lymphatic System with Dr. Christine Schaffner

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Have you ever experienced a complete and intense burnout? Today on the Biology of Trauma™ Podcast, one of Dr. Aimie’s Biology of Trauma™ Professionals, Marc, joins her to share his story of how a complete and intense burnout changed his life and perspective.

Want to find out more information about this episode? Head to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Today on Biology of Trauma, we hear from Heather, a graduate of the online 21-day journey to calm aliveness. After seeing the positive impact of addressing her trauma, Heather continued with her mentor training program to lead somatic exercises and mentor others on their healing journey. In this episode, we tackle how to help your family heal from trauma.

Want to find out more information about this episode? Head to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Does trauma affect our methylation process and our body's capacity to detox?

Trauma doesn't just live in our minds; it resides in our cells, influencing fundamental biological processes. One of these processes is detoxification, our body's natural ability to eliminate harmful substances. When trauma is stored in the body, it affects the biology of our detoxification pathways, making it harder for us to rid ourselves of toxins.

A build-up of toxins can impede our progress in trauma therapy and healing. It's a two-way street: trauma affects our ability to detoxify, and toxins affect our ability to process and release trauma. 

I am very excited about our guest today since he has been a leader in implementing mental health nutrition at the clinical level. It is hard to be a leader, and I want to acknowledge the effort he has put in to create a different experience for his patients.

Albert Mensah has been a family practice physician for over twenty years now. He received his medical degree from Finch University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School, and then completed his residency at Swedish Covenant, leading him to follow a very different path than conventional medical, making his approach to body and biochemical imbalances very unique. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The science behind trauma-toxin connection and provide practical insights on what to do about it 
• Learn to recognize methylation imbalances and its health issues
• Understand how to support your body's detox pathways
• Learn nutritional and diet tools

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

In this enlightening conversation with Dr. Christina Bjorndal, we explore the intricate connections between mental wellness diagnosis, traumatic experiences, and the journey to healing. In this episode, we delve into the challenges and stigmas of mental health labels and discuss how early life experiences, the ego, and shadow beliefs can contribute to stored trauma that require a holistic approach to overcome. We will answer two questions: Is a bipolar label related to early childhood trauma, and if so, is there a different solution to a bipolar label than psychiatric medication? 

Want to hear more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more! 

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Have you ever felt like your body is stuck in survival mode, holding onto stress and tension no matter how hard you try to let it go? What if this instinct to survive is also what drives chronic inflammation, emotional pain, and even long-term illness?
 

Today, Dr. Isaac Eliaz joins Dr. Aimie to explore the concept of the survival paradox.This process is what keeps your body on high alert and affects everything from your energy levels to your ability to heal and can keep your body stuck in a freeze response. Together, they’ll discuss the survival paradox’s deep connection to trauma, the protein, Galactin-3, that can either drive health or inflammation, and more. 

You’ll hear more about:

• What the “Survival Paradox” is and how it shapes your body’s response to trauma and stress.
• The connection between chronic inflammation and unresolved trauma 
• Simple ways to start healing your body from the inside
• How acceptance can unlock your healing potential
• And more!
  
  

Our guest, Dr. Isaac Eliaz, is a pioneer in integrative medicine, a world-renowned expert in trauma healing, and the author of The Survival Paradox. For decades, Dr. Eliaz has been bridging the gap between ancient healing wisdom and cutting-edge science, exploring how our biology and emotions are deeply intertwined. His work focuses on the biochemical pathways of trauma, including the role of survival proteins like galectin-3, and how they impact inflammation, healing, and overall health.

If you’ve been wanting to reduce your stress levels, overcome your chronic health issues or start healing yourself, then this episode is a must listen to! Let’s dive in!

For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

In this episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian and Trudy Scott delve into the complex relationship between trauma, neurotransmitters, and biochemistry. Trudy Scott, a certified nutritionist and founder of the Anxiety Nutrition Institute, shares her expertise on how low levels of serotonin and GABA can significantly affect those with PTSD symptoms. The episode aims to answer the question: What to do about low serotonin and low GABA in trauma?

Want to learn more about this episode? Head over to our website to learn more!

Disclaimer:

By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.