The Biology of Trauma® With Dr. Aimie

How can authenticity help us heal from trauma and achieve deeper, more intimate relationships? Dr. Aimie Apigian is joined by Dr. Peter Levine, the pioneer of Somatic Experiencing, to discuss how trauma disrupts our connection to our authentic selves, which in turn affects our ability to form deep, meaningful relationships. Together, they will explain how we can begin to restore deep intimacy and connection with others through the practice of somatic healing. Allowing for genuine intimacy and presence in our lives after having experienced trauma. In this episode, you will learn about: How trauma disrupts our authentic self and impacts our relationships The significance of authenticity and human connection when it comes to healing this trauma How to achieve greater intimacy through authenticity How a dysregulated nervous system impacts our ability to achieve our goals and strategies how to manage this The connection between the flow state and authenticity The importance of authenticity and self-awareness in personal growth For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How does unresolved trauma disrupt our sleep patterns, and what can we do about it? I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael Breus, a double board-certified clinical psychologist and clinical sleep specialist. We’ll be discussing the profound effects of trauma on our sleep, exploring how our nervous system processes life experiences and their lasting impact on our rest. Dr. Breus will explain how trauma can disrupt sleep patterns, examine unique case studies from his practice and explore practical solutions for overcoming these challenges. In this episode, you will learn about: How past traumas continue to affect sleep long after the event The importance of a felt sense of safety for falling asleep The link between freeze response, escapism and sleep and how to stop numbing in order to sleep How to discover your chronotype and improve your sleep cycle based on it How nightmares prevent emotional processing and how dream therapy can help individuals work through trauma  How trauma can make us feel 'wired and tired' 2 practical techniques for calming the mind and body before sleep For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

What is the role of genes and epigenetics in trauma at the cellular level? Joining us today is none other than Dr. Bruce Lipton, an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit. Dr. Lipton will share his pioneering insights into how our perceptions and environment can reshape our biological responses, especially regarding trauma and together we’ll explore the foundational concepts of epigenetics, the role of the environment in gene expression, and how our consciousness plays a crucial role in trauma development. In this episode, you will learn about: Do genes or environment determine our cellular behavior How identical cells in different environments perform How positive or negative thoughts alter the chemical composition of our blood How chronic trauma affects our epigenetics making us more susceptible to diseases The cause of cancer through the eyes of epigenetics and  Practical tools to apply the principles of epigenetics and consciousness to your life to promote an innate state of healing For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How can we effectively harness our stress response and work with our freeze response to achieve sustained, high and healthy performance? Our focus today is on Olympian level of performance. In a world that gives us the message that we need to manage our stress, actually, that may not be what we want to do. We are going to look at our stress physiology through the lens of high performance, because let’s face it, trauma work and personal development can be like Olympian performance for us. It’s hard, it’s long, and we want to know how to use our stress response to help us accomplish the changes we want in our life.  In this episode, you will learn: The 2 important measures of performance: activation physiology and recovery capacity The importance of mastering both stress activation and recovery The role of routines and biological rhythms in optimizing performance Overcoming the guilt and discomfort associated with taking time to rest How the messages behind physical health symptoms like shingles or adrenal fatigue are not messages just of stress and what those messages are What relationship you need to have with your freeze response for optimal performance Techniques to increase your ability to handle high-stress situations without compromising your well-being   For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How can we build resilience to stress and trauma at a physiological level in addition to psychological level? I am joined by Ari Witten, a natural health expert and founder of The Energy Blueprint. Ari is the best-selling author of "The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy" and "Eat for Energy: How to Beat Fatigue and Supercharge Your Mitochondria for All-Day Energy." With a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, certifications in corrective exercise and performance enhancement, and extensive graduate-level training in clinical psychology and human nutrition, Ari brings a wealth of knowledge on human energy optimization. His expertise in cellular processes and physiological resilience is unparalleled. In this episode, we will explore: Whether physiological resilience is actually more important than psychological resilience How trauma responses occur not just on a psychological level, but also on a cellular and mitochondrial level The difference between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth Can the right amount of stress actually build resilience instead of breaking us down How your environment and lifestyle factors affect trauma and resilience Practical strategies to enhance physiological resilience, including regular exposure to manageable stressors like exercise, sun exposure, and cold plunging For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Is it possible to use our anxiety as a way to help us?   In this episode, I am joined by Emma McAdams, a licensed marriage and family therapist who has worked in settings such as juvenile corrections, adventure therapy programs, high schools, and wilderness therapy programs. Together, we will discuss the difference between stress and anxiety, why anxiety actually isn’t a bad thing, and what to do when you start to feel anxiety in your body. You’ll hear more about: The behavioral patterns at the root of anxiety The different forms of avoidance and how they contribute to anxiety What’s actually causing your anxiety (hint: it’s not the TRIGGER!) How to know you are being affected by hidden anxiety The kinds of messages that you can get from anxiety What to do if you wake up in the middle of the night and feel anxious And more! For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How can we use the body’s natural biological rhythms to recover from trauma?   In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Leslie Korn, a clinical fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard University. She has been in private practice for 40 years, integrating psychotherapy and integrative medicine. Together we will discuss awareness and effective utilization of the body’s natural rhythms, such as circadian rhythm, digestive rhythm, and sleep rhythm. This episode helps us understand that trauma disrupts our biological rhythms, and aligning with them is part of the trauma healing journey.   You’ll also hear more about: What happens to the body’s biological rhythms after trauma How natural rhythms can be used for trauma recovery The role of allostatic overload in trauma A big missing piece in trauma recovery we need to bring back in Which rhythm we can utilize that is more effective than antidepressants The important rhythm of relationships and community And more! For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

If you have had trauma, early life trauma, what should you know about decreasing your risk for autoimmunity? I have a distinguished guest for this episode, a leading expert in functional medicine, Dr. Tom O'Bryan, who holds teaching positions with the Institute of Functional Medicine and the National University of Health Sciences. Often referred to as the Sherlock Holmes for chronic disease, Dr. O'Bryan is a chiropractor who has dedicated his career to uncovering the underlying mechanisms that trigger immune responses.  What you will learn in this episode:   The science of autoimmunity and dysregulated immune responses The influence of environmental toxins after trauma for the risk of autoimmunity The significance of predictive autoimmunity and early detection The role of you gut microbiome in regulating inflammation Whether you need to eat organic or not for decreasing your autoimmune risk Practical steps and specific changes to make today to prevent or reverse autoimmunity after a history of trauma For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

How do our early experiences shape our ability to love, be loved and feel loved?    In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Frank Anderson, a Harvard trained psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author of To Be Loved, a memoir of his upbringing and life, Transcending Trauma, and coauthor of the Internal Family Systems training manual. Together we will discuss the relational trauma of not feeling loved in our early life, our own self-love, receiving love, and giving love to others.    You’ll also hear more about: How trauma blocks love The different types of trauma we can experience as children How attachment trauma is related to neglect, not just abuse The importance of distinguishing between attachment and connection Why it can feel unsafe to connect with others authentically Two reasons why it will feel dangerous to feel good after early relational trauma Why we stay in unhealthy relationships And more!   For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/

Is your health impacting the way you show up for work? In this episode, I am joined by Sally Riggs, an entrepreneur, psychologist, and COVID long-haul coach. Together, we’ll discuss the interconnectedness of work and health and the strategies and principles you can use to keep going when your body is struggling with long-term health issues.  You’ll hear more about: The impact chronic health challenges have on work and how work impacts health Using polyvagal theory to optimize your work and health The most common mistake made when working with the nervous system to improve health and work The #1 component for a business and what can sabotage it What will prevent your business from making a bigger impact in the lives of others How hidden emotions can negatively impact your work and health And more!