The Genius Life 512: The Science of How Your Nervous System Stores Trauma, and How to Rewire It for Healing | Aimie Apigian, MD
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Sep 29, 2025 
Dr. Aimie Apigian, a double board-certified physician and trauma expert, shares insights from her book, *The Biology of Trauma*. She explores how trauma shapes our nervous system and offers practical tools for healing. Topics include the internal nature of trauma, the role of early development, and the potential for neuroplasticity to rewire trauma responses. Aimie discusses somatic techniques for immediate regulation and how stress and trauma differ. She also emphasizes the importance of understanding biochemical imbalances in treating trauma.
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Trauma Is Defined By Internal Response
- Trauma depends on the internal physiological response, not the external event's size.
- A pre-existing nervous system state determines whether an experience becomes traumatic.
Nervous System Programming Starts Before Birth
- Nervous system programming begins in utero and shapes threat/safety expectations.
- Early maternal stress signals can biologically tune a child's vigilance for survival.
Build Quick Moments Of Felt Safety
- Create immediate moments of felt safety to interrupt toxic coping behaviors.
- Repeat those safety moments to teach your nervous system that safety is familiar too.
