Trauma Rewired

Fear Memory, The Brain, And The Roots of PTSD

Jun 30, 2025
Matt Bush, founder of Next Level Neuro and trauma expert, dives into the complex world of PTSD. He discusses why some people struggle with PTSD while others recover, focusing on the role of the nervous system. The conversation highlights how traumatic memories are managed by the brain, particularly the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Bush emphasizes the importance of somatic movement and emotional regulation techniques in trauma recovery, proposing that healing is about retraining the nervous system to reintegrate fear rather than reliving the past.
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INSIGHT

Brain State, Not Trauma Type

  • PTSD risk depends on brain state, not trauma type or intensity.
  • Poor hippocampus and prefrontal cortex function hinder specific fear memory formation.
INSIGHT

Prefrontal Cortex Regulates Fear

  • The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex organizes traumatic memories for emotional regulation.
  • Reduced activity here impairs distinguishing past versus present threat.
ANECDOTE

Broad Fear Causes Repeating Patterns

  • Jennifer Wallace shares how broader fear memories cause repeating emotional patterns.
  • Complex trauma affects memory integration across development into adulthood.
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