Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Long-Term Impact on Health

Adverse childhood experiences can lead to changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in a more blunted cortisol response to stress. These experiences can also lead to epigenetic changes in glucocorticoid receptor genes and alterations in brain structure, such as decreased hippocampal volume and white matter integrity. Additionally, childhood trauma is associated with increased inflammatory cytokines, heightened amygdala reactivity, and reduced activity in the reward system, impacting long-term health.