The Biology of Trauma® With Dr. Aimie

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!

How do we navigate the hidden challenges that can arise when experiencing grief?    Today, I am joined by Melissa Dlugolecki, a mother who lost her daughter at around 4 months of age. In the episode, Melissa shares the journey of losing her daughter, the surprising challenges that popped up during her grief journey, and how she’s been able to get emotionally where she is today.    You’ll hear more on: Navigating grief as a family Hidden dangers that can occur in relationships while navigating grief The role of community in grieving  What it looks like to be committed to our grief Rebuilding your world after a life-changing loss How to prevent getting stuck in grief Finding purpose after pain And more!     For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

Are your attachment pains and patterns impacting not only your relationships, but also your nervous system and overall health?   In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Diane Poole-Heller, an internationally recognized speaker, author, and expert in the field of attachment theory and trauma resolution. Together, we will discuss attachment and how it influences the way your form and maintain relationships, communicate (or don’t!), and what you can do to start moving towards a secure attachment and healthier relationships!  You’ll hear more about: Defining attachment based on your biology How the nervous system gets confused when connection isn’t always safe The markers and milestones that indicate you’re moving towards a secure attachment  What it means when you ghost people Why you can’t just think your way out of your attachment and relationship patterns Building new relational skills for connection and authenticity And more! For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

Grief is something that everyone feels, but how they process it depends on their past history. So how do we know which way we experience grief?   There are challenges each of us must face and overcome based on our past experiences. These experiences will help decide what our grief looks like and if we will get stuck in grief. Today, Deb Dana, a polyvagal therapist, joins me to discuss grief, but in particular, what are Dorsal Days and how do we work these days to create life after loss!   You’ll hear more about: The three organizing principles of the nervous system and how they influence our unique way through grief  What not to ask someone who is grieving Asking this key question to become an active operator of your nervous system  The surprising equation our nervous system uses to create our grief reactions   Why dysregulation is a normal response and the key to returning to regulation The profound impact of our preexisting state on the grief response The most important thing to provide your nervous system during times of grief The role of glimmers in grief  For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

Are the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) connected to trauma?  In this episode, I dive into what I’ve been learning about a hypersensitive and hyperreactive gut looking through the lens of IBS. I answer where IBS comes from, its origins, and the REAL solutions to fixing it. Forget what you think you know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, because the truth might just shock you!   You’ll learn more about: Common misconceptions around IBS and mental health The specific emotion during our attachment years that is connected with IBS  What “global high intensity activation" is and its role in gut hypersensitivity  The right way to address the hypersensitivity and hyperreactivity of the gut. Personalizing interventions to help IBS symptoms (and get your life back!) And more!   For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

How is trauma work different when there is a syndrome involved? Today, I’m delighted to bring you another episode featuring Dr. Peter Levine. Dr. Levine is the Developer of Somatic Experiencing® and the Founder of both the Ergos Institute of Somatic Education and Somatic Experiencing International. Together, we will discuss how stored trauma can lead to syndromes and the somatic solutions that can help. You’ll hear more on: The main element in your body that drives all syndromes Why somatic work is one of 3 pillars of stored trauma What every physician should know about syndromes The role of childhood trauma in chronic syndromes What dysautonomia is (and its role in syndromes) The key to somatic work with any and all syndromes And more! For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/  

What is the impact of an early heart shock on our mind and body?   Most of the time we don’t even know we’ve experienced a heart shock. But even if we don’t know we’ve experienced one, it has already made an impact on our lives. In this episode, I discuss what a heart shock is, the impact it can make on our body and mind and why it’s so important that you be the hero of your own story. You’ll learn more about: How early life heart shocks affect attachment and survival The deep impact heart shocks have on the body How heart shocks change the nervous system and neuroception The connection between early life heart shocks and adult diseases Recognizing the "part" of us affected by early life shocks For more information and links for this episode, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/