The Trauma Therapist Episode 790: Everyday Trauma: Remapping the Brain's Response to Stress with Dr. Tracey Shors
Jan 8, 2024
Dr. Tracey Shors, a Distinguished Professor in Behavioral Neuroscience at Rutgers University and author of Everyday Trauma, dives into how trauma impacts our brains. She reveals the different ways stress affects male and female brains, shedding light on women's unique vulnerabilities. Tracey discusses her innovative MAP Train My Brain program, using meditation and aerobic exercise to help reduce PTSD symptoms and repetitive thoughts. Discover why adult neurogenesis is crucial for recovery and how everyday traumas shape our lives.
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A Chance Meeting Changed Her Career
- Tracey Shors met eminent scientist Richard Thompson by chance and accepted a postdoctoral position in his lab.
- That opportunity significantly accelerated her research career.
Sex Differences Shape Stress Responses
- Female and male brains can respond oppositely to the same stressor in lab studies.
- These biological differences may contribute to higher PTSD and depression rates in women.
Trauma Is The Response, Not Just The Event
- Trauma is best understood as the response to an event rather than the event itself.
- Trauma causes lasting damage and activates memory systems more strongly than ordinary stress.
