How Trauma and Chronic Stress Impair Integration

“Fake it till you make it” can keep you moving, but there is a cost. When the prefrontal cortex tries to do the job of the whole brain, it burns fuel fast, cravings rise, and coping loops take over. This episode breaks down emotional regulation as a full-body, brain-wide process, not a mindset trick. Matt Bush, lead educator at the NSI certification and founder of Next Level Neuro, joins Elisabeth and Jennifer for this fascinating covnersation. You will learn how integration across interoception, proprioception, the insula, anterior cingulate, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex supports flexible, context-appropriate responses. We explore why shutdowns, flooding, or masking are often adaptations to threat, how sensory mismatch and modern screen habits compound dysregulation, and why big peak experiences without preparation can overwhelm rather than heal. Expect practical, trauma-informed ways to build capacity with minimum-effective-dose practices, daily nervous system hygiene, and a simple “emotional retrospect” journaling flow that plants new options for next time. If you have ever thought, “I know I am safe, but my body does not,” this conversation offers science, compassion, and usable tools to reconnect brain and body.

Timestamps:

00:00 What “fake it till you make it” costs the nervous system

05:12 What emotional regulation really is and why context matters

12:30 Integration 101: body signals, brain networks, and coordination 21:45 Everyday patterns: flooding, shutdown, perfectionism, doom-scrolling

29:10 Key regions: insula, ACC, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex 36:05 Sensory mismatch, modern lifestyle, and capacity

44:20 Peak somatic experiences: preparation, risk, and integration

52:00 Building capacity: daily hygiene, minimum-effective-dose practice 58:40 The “emotional retrospect” journaling protocol 1:05:00 Individual and collective growth, closing takeaways

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional regulation means full-spectrum access to feelings without being hijacked, not suppression.

  • Integration is a brain-body loop; accurate interoception and proprioception improve predictions and choice.

  • Sensory mismatch and chronic stress bias the system toward protection, which can look like flooding, masking, or collapse.

  • Peak intensity does not equal integration; preparation and real-time capacity building matter.

  • Small, consistent practices create new options by improving signal quality and planting novel responses.

• Resources Mentioned:

  • RewireTrial.com - two-week free trial for live classes and on-demand neurosomatic tools

  • Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI) Coaching Certification - ICF-accredited training for practitioners

  • Next Level Neuro - education referenced in the episode

  Call to Action:

  If this episode brought you clarity, comfort, or a deeper understanding of your emotional world, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite audio platform or hit the bell on YouTube so you never miss an episode.

  👉 Want to learn how to rewire your nervous system, strengthen emotional regulation, and support others in doing the same? Explore www.rewiretrial.com.

  Healing starts with integration—when your brain and body begin working together, real regulation becomes possible.

Disclaimer:

Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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