Afleveringen
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âEmotions need motionâ - Paul Denniston
Grief is an emotion that many of us try to avoid. But what happens when we don't let it out? In this episode, we explore how hidden grief can get stuck in the body, causing tight shoulders, stomach pain, and nonstop anxiety.
Paul Denniston, founder of Grief Yoga, joins Dr. Aimie to explain that grief doesn't simply disappear when ignored. Instead, it hides in our muscles and body, making them hurt or feel uncomfortable.This conversation sheds light on how movement and even laughter can let the feelings out of our bodies in a safe way.
How grief physically manifests in the body Why movement is essential for trauma healing How to recognize if what you're feeling is grief (even if it looks like anxiety or anger) The power in creating dedicated time and space for grief expression Learning how to sit with grief safely so it doesn't feel too overwhelming How laughter can be used to access deeper grief How practitioners can hold space for others' grief without becoming overwhelmed themselves The physical and emotional benefits of moving grief through the body And more!
We'll talk more about:Whether you're a practitioner working with grief, someone supporting a loved one through loss, or navigating your own healing journey, this episode shares insights into transforming pain through movement practices that incorporate breath, sound, and embodied awareness.
Paul Denniston is the founder of Grief YogaÂź, which uses yoga, movement, breath, and sound to release pain and suffering and connect to love. His intention with Grief Yoga is to combine many different forms of yoga in order to help heal grief.
Guides, Tools & Resources:
The Essential Sequence - free guide that shows you the difference between stress and trauma states of our nervous system. In just 3 steps, it walks you through what your body needs when it has stored trauma or is in a freeze response. Biology of Trauma book - How the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm, and how to heal. At the time of this recording, you can join us in The Insiderâs Circle Book Club and pre-orders will be going live soon.
Foundational Journey - If you want to be guided through The Essential Sequence laid out in the guide and the book, join me and my team for this 6 week journey into your inner world with practical somatic and parts self-practices to lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely. These are the daily practices I have found that change oneâs biology and health symptoms the fastest.
Related Podcast Episodes:
Episode 74: Why Stored Trauma Becomes Syndromes & Their Somatic Solutions Episode 114: Grief: The Science Behind Why We Canât âGet Overâ Loss and How to Grieve
Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. -
Preventing people from moving when something terrible happens is what makes trauma a trauma.
In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie dives into the biology behind why not being able to move (either physically or internally) can create trauma. She looks more closely at the moment in the trauma response that she calls "hitting the wall" - the pivotal point where we feel powerless and our physiology shifts from a stress response to a trauma response.
Dr. Aimie also explains that our neuroception (nervous system's perception) determines whether we take action or shut down, and this process isn't based on reality but on our perceived capacity against perceived danger. So when we feel overwhelmed, our nervous system prevents movement as a way to protect us.
You'll hear more about:
The five steps of trauma response and why "the wall" is the most significant How our nervous system can block our own movement The biological factors that influence our capacity to respond vs. shut down And more!If you're interested in understanding why you might "hit the wall" in everyday situations and how to support your body's capacity to respond differently, then this episode is for you!
For more on this topic, listen to the full conversation with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in Episode 116: The Body Keeps Score: How Trauma Rewires Your Nervous System
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In response to overwhelm, the body tries to keep one safe in different ways. Sometimes our body feels so shaken and shocked that it makes our mind need to disconnect from the pain of it. This is called dissociating.
Yet, the body still remembers what happened. The impact to our biology doesnât go away just because we donât understand or remember something. The impact is how the body keeps track of everything from out past. When we understand that our body is reacting because it is still holding onto something from the past, it can help us uncover what needs to be healed.
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk joins Dr. Aimie in this episode to explore the profound nature of trauma - how it affects the body in ways that make it keep score. He explains why trauma is not just about the events but about how those experiences become engrained in our biology, creating patterns that persist long after the danger has passed. This in turn can make trauma something that is truly "unbelievable, unbearable, and overwhelming."
Our bodies are built to move when we're in danger. When we can't move during traumatic events, it changes how our brain works. This conversation looks at why this happens. It also explains how difficult experiences in childhood create patterns in our minds - like an inner roadmap - that shape how we see the world and connect with people as adults.
Theyâll talk more on:
Why trauma leaves people unable to articulate their experiences How dissociation works as a way to survive during overwhelming events Why the lack of movement during an event is what makes it traumatic The physical toll of living with a dysregulated nervous system Why healing must address the basic housekeeping functions of the body How trauma blocks our capacity to experience pleasure and worthiness And more!If you're working with trauma professionally, supporting someone on their healing journey, or navigating your own recovery, this episode is excellent for understanding how the body keeps score while offering practical actions to reclaim agency, embody healing, and create a life worth living through curiosity and collaboration.
Guides, Tools & Resources:
Steps to Identify and Heal Trauma: A Roadmap for Healing Trauma - Find out what trauma is, how to recognize it, and get simple steps to help you heal in this 23-page guide. Itâs great for anyone who wants to understand trauma better or support others on their healing journey.
Biology of Trauma (the book) - How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, and Overwhelm, and How to Heal It. With the foreword written by Dr. Gabor Mate, it is a book intended to change the conversation about how to heal on the deepest level, not just our mind, not just our body, but also our biology. Please join me for The Insiderâs Circle where you can pre-order your copy and receive monthly readings with Dr. Aimie.
Foundational Journey - If you want to be safely guided through The Essential Sequence, and lay your foundation of regulation in this online 6 week course, join me and my team of mentors for this journey into your inner world with practical somatic and parts self-practices.
Episode 7: Identifying And Treating Cooper Excess To Reserve Postpartum Depression With William Walsh Episode 90: Beyond Talk Therapy: Addressing the Biochemical Basis of Behavior & Changing Our Response
Related Podcasts:
Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. -
Are you or someone you know feeling stuck in trauma patterns despite years of therapy and personal work? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie is answering a question about whether there might be a biological component hindering a persons attachment repair progress.
Dr. Aimie will buliding off of her conversation with Dr. Jason Loken in Episode 115. She'll be diving deeper into the 3 common biochemical imbalances that can keep people trapped in nervous system dysregulation.
How under-methylation works and it's symptoms How a copper excess can create a toxic environment for the nervous system and is strongly connected to postpartum anxiety and depression How pyroluria makes the nervous system hypersensitive and reactive
You'll hear more about:
Ready to discover if biochemistry might be holding back your healing journey? Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Loken on Episode 115: 3 Biochemistry Findings Behind Mood & Mental Health Struggles.Other resources mentioned in this episode:
3 Most Common Biochemical Imbalances - Discover the common biochemical imbalances that are frequently at the core of mood and trauma patterns. Learn how these imbalances are identified and addressed to help improve emotional well-being. -
Are you or those you help seemingly doing all "right things" but still feeling stuck? That competitive drive, those controlling tendencies, or that persistent anxiety might actually be rooted in our biochemistry.
In this episode, Dr. Aimie sits down with Dr. Jason Loken to explore how hidden biochemical imbalances can create patterns of depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges that talk therapy alone cannot resolve. Dr. Loken shares how under-methylation, a copper-zinc imbalance, and pyroluria can fundamentally affect your physical and mental well-being.
Theyâll also discuss why certain traits run in families, how a copper-zinc imbalance can affect postpartum mental health, and why some children struggle with focus and emotional regulation. Dr. Loken breaks down the science behind these biochemical patterns, explains how these biochemical imbalances can be identified, and shares actionable steps for addressing the root cause of these imbalances.
Theyâll talk more about:
How under-methylation is connected to depression and anxiety The behavioral traits commonly associated with under-methylation (competitiveness, control issues, obsessive compulsive tendencies, etc.) How to properly test for methylation imbalances How a surge in copper levels during pregnancy can lead to postpartum mood disorders Why "managing stress better" is nearly impossible with certain imbalances How pyroluria strips the body of key nutrients that help create the feel good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine The connection between these biochemical imbalances and autoimmune conditions And more!Whether you're a practitioner looking for more comprehensive approaches to mental health, a parent concerned about your child's behavior, or someone personally struggling with persistent symptoms, this episode offers valuable insights into how balancing your biochemistry might be the key to finally feeling like yourself again.
Guides, Tools & Resources:
3 Most Common Biochemical Imbalances - Discover the common biochemical imbalances that are frequently at the core of mood and trauma patterns. Learn how these imbalances are identified and addressed to help improve emotional well-being. Biology of Trauma (the book) - How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, and Overwhelm, and How to Heal It. Please join us in the Insiderâs Circle where you can pre-order your copy and receive monthly readings with Dr. Aimie.
Episode 90: Beyond Talk Therapy: Addressing the Biochemical Basis of Behavior & Changing Our Response Episode 92: ââHow Chaos of Early Childhood Trauma Affects Our Adult Nervous System
Related Podcasts:
The Copper to Zinc Ratio You Need For Healing From Trauma Are You Predisposed to Trauma?
Related Youtube Videos:
Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. -
Are you or someone you know struggling with the weight of grief, feeling disconnected, exhausted, or immobilized? In this short episode, Dr. Aimie will expand on her conversation with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor from episode 114. She will dive deeper into the neurobiology of grief and its impact on the body.
Youâll hear more on:
The three survival mechanisms of grief-related trauma Why grief can trigger overwhelming fatigue, digestive issues, and feelings of heaviness The connection between grief, the gut, and the nervous system Practical steps to support and repair the body during the grieving process
If grief feels unbearable, understanding the biology behind it can provide insights and strategies to support healing. If you want to learn more listen to Episode 114: The Science Behind Why We Canât âGet Overâ Loss and How to GrieveDisclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. -
Are you or someone you know struggling with unexplained anxiety, fatigue, or reactivity? In this short episode, Dr. Aimie dives deep into the conversation she had with Dr. Neil Nathan in episode 113 about how hidden infections like mold toxicity and Lyme disease can create a "biology of threat" within your body.
She'll explore:
How mold and Lyme can trigger physiological symptoms that mimic trauma responses The 3 interconnected systems that keep your body in constant threat mode Practical steps to regulate your nervous system and reduce sensitivity
Ready to learn more on how mold toxicity and Lyme disease can affect not just the body but the mind as well? Listen to Episode 113: Hidden Triggers: How Mold and Lyme Create A Sensitive and Reactive Personality with Dr. Neil Nathan
Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.
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Are you ready to unlock your brainâs hidden power? Today, Dr. Aimie will be taking a closer look at the key takeaways from her conversation with Dr. Greg Kelly. She will be going into the biology behind the brainâs capacity and what you can do to improve yours.
Sheâll talk about:
Removing stressors that are taking up brain capacity Why creating more brain capacity is key long-term Simple tools to increase your capacity
If you want to know more about how you can reduce stressors and increase mental bandwidth, listen to Episode 111: Unlock Your Brainâs Hidden Power: Reduce Stress and Stop Burnout
Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. -
Of all the different aspects of trauma biology, brain inflammation is the one that will hold you back when it comes to the therapy, trauma work and personal development youâre trying to do. In this short episode, Dr. Aimie will share her top takeaways and action steps from episode 110 with Dr. Datis Kharrazian. Sheâl go into the biology behind brain inflammation in therapy and trauma work.
Youâll hear more on:
How brain inflammation shuts the body down The 3 levels that keep your body stuck The necessary repair tools for brain inflammation
Ready to clear your mind of brain fog? Listen to Episode 110: Clear Your Mind: How to Reduce Brain Fog & Mental Fatigue
Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. -
Is your biology making it easier to fall into addiction? Today, Dr. Aimie is taking a closer look at this question and other key takeaways from her conversation with the late Dr. Charles Gant around addiction.
Biological factors that may push someone towards addiction The role of the freeze response in addiction The 3 main biochemical imbalances that are seen in addiction
Youâll hear more on:
Want to hear more about the connection between your biology and addiction? Listen to
Episode 109: End Your Addiction Now: How Pioneer Work Outperforms Traditional TreatmentDisclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. -
Did you know your body's connective tissues might be trapping trauma and toxins? In this short episode, Dr. Aimie is sharing valuable insights from her episode with Dr. Christine Schaffner. She talks about the biology behind how trauma manifests in the body through the extracellular matrix, fascia, and lymphatic system.
Youâll hear more on:
How these connective tissues work The healing sequence to follow to start your healing journey Which system to address first when looking at stored trauma
If you want to more fully understand this topic, head over to Episode 108: How The Body Stores Emotional Trauma in the Fascia and Lymphatic System with Dr. Christine SchaffnerDisclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.
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ââIn order to think about grief, first you have to think about love and bonding, because that is what gets lost. That is what gets broken.â Dr. Mary-Frances OâConnor
Understanding why grief feels so physical, why someone still reaches for the phone to call someone who's gone, or why certain memories can trigger intense emotions years after a loss can provide valuable insight for those helping others who are experiencing grief or for those who want to know more about grief. And today, weâre diving into the neuroscience behind grief.
In this episode, Dr. Mary-Frances OâConnor joins Dr. Aimie to discuss how grief isn't just an emotional response but a complex learning process as our brains adapt to a fundamentally changed reality. She introduces the critical distinction between grief and grieving, highlighting how our attachment patterns influence our grief journey. Her fascinating research on yearning reveals that this powerful sensation activates the same brain regions involved with other basic survival needs, explaining why the feeling can be so intense and overwhelmingThe conversation also goes into how avoidance and rumination can interfere with natural healing, and that the intensity and frequency of grief waves will change over time as part of the grieving process.
Youâll learn:
The brain regions that activate when you yearn for someone who has died Why yearning is more like hunger or thirst than addiction The difference between grief (response) and grieving (adaptation process) How rumination and avoidance can interfere with natural healing The importance of staying grounded and connected to the present How to prepare your brain and support systems for future grief experiences The crucial differences between depression and grief, and why they require different approachesWhether you're currently navigating grief, supporting someone who is, or simply preparing for inevitable losses, this episode will help you understand why healing isnât âgetting overâ a loss, but an ever evolving process that fundamentally changes our reality.
Connect with Dr. OâConnor:
Website
Related Podcasts:
Episode 42: Unlocking The Role of Disguised Grief in Health
Episode 76: Navigating the Grief Journey: The Polyvagal Way To Become an Active Operator of Your Nervous System
Guides, Tools & Resources:
The Essential Sequence - A free guide that shows you the difference between stress and trauma states of our nervous system. In just 3 steps, it walks you through what your body needs when it has stored trauma or is in a freeze response.
Foundational Journey - If you want to be safely guided through The Essential Sequence, and lay your foundation of regulation in this online 6 week course, join me and my team of mentors for this journey into your inner world with practical somatic and parts self-practices
Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.
Comment Etiquette:
I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Please share your constructive feedback by using personal name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free, and let's keep the discussion positive! -
âIf you have a new onset of anxiety or depression that doesnât even make sense to you, think of a more physical cause.â - Dr. Neil Nathan
Do you have issues with focus, concentration, or even finding the word you want to use? If so, you might be dealing with the hidden effects of mold toxicity and Lyme disease.
In this episode, Dr. Aimie sits down with Dr. Neil Nathan to discuss how mold toxicity and Lyme disease can create a "biology of threat" in the body that can trigger and maintain a state of hypervigilance and reactivity. This is not the only issue mold toxins and Lyme infections can cause. They can create unique inflammatory responses that affect the brain, nervous system, and immune function, often manifesting as unexplained anxiety, depression, cognitive issues, and physical symptoms that are often misdiagnosed as mental health disorders.
Dr. Nathan also introduces "the big three" factors keeping the body stuck in threat mode: limbic activation, vagal dysregulation, and mast cell activation. Heâll share how these become dysregulated when faced with mold toxicity and Lyme disease, causing the body to shut down as a protective mechanism. This explains why you may experience seemingly inexplicable sensitivities and reactions despite doing all the "right" emotional and psychological work for trauma recovery.Join them as they break down the science behind the bodyâs response to mold toxicity and Lyme disease, if itâs possible to reverse it, and actionable steps you can take to start the healing journey.
Youâll learn more about:
[05:05] How âout of the blueâ anxiety, depression, or other symptoms might actually be caused by mold or Lyme [10:00] What makes the inflammation associated with these internal stressors unique [16:46] Why the âbig threeâ need to be addressed together in sensitive patients [17:38] How mold toxicity and Lyme can lead to chronic neurological and autoimmune conditions [20:33] The internal trauma response that can be created by mold toxicity and Lyme And more!Dr. Neil Nathan is a Board Certified Family Physician who has been practicing medicine for over 50 years. As he studied and learned a wide variety of alternative concepts, his practice gravitated into primarily helping to diagnose and treat those patients who have not been helped by conventional medicine. Heâs worked with thousands of patients with complex medical illnesses such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, mold toxicity, chronic Lyme disease, autism, and chronic pain.
Related Podcasts:
Episode 105: How Anxiety, Depression & Trauma Reactions May Be From Mold and Heavy MetalsEpisode 106: How Mast Cell Activation, Histamines & Mold Toxicity Place You in a High-Risk Trauma Category
Guides, Tools & Resources:
The Essential Sequence - free guide that shows you the difference between stress and trauma states of our nervous system. In just 3 steps, it walks you through what your body needs when it has stored trauma or is in a freeze response.
Foundational Journey - a guided 6 week journey into your inner world with a structured sequence of somatic and parts interventions with live online classes. One of the things that happens in just the first 21 days of the Foundational Journey is that people experience a 26% decrease in daily physical pain, speaking to what Dr Schubiner was just talking about, these neural secret pains, can turn off and on, and it's not actually necessarily due to the the injury the body itself. It is a neural circuit and weâre managing the pain just by working with the nervous system, looking at the habitual component of it and continuing with essential parts work.
Connect with Dr. Neil Nathan:
WebsiteDisclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of TraumaÂź podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.
Comment Etiquette:
I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Please share your constructive feedback by using personal name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free, and let's keep the discussion positive! -
Have you ever felt like your body is stuck in survival mode, holding onto stress and tension no matter how hard you try to let it go? What if this instinct to survive is also what drives chronic inflammation, emotional pain, and even long-term illness?
Today, Dr. Isaac Eliaz joins Dr. Aimie to explore the concept of the survival paradox.This process is what keeps your body on high alert and affects everything from your energy levels to your ability to heal and can keep your body stuck in a freeze response. Together, theyâll discuss the survival paradoxâs deep connection to trauma, the protein, Galactin-3, that can either drive health or inflammation, and more.
Youâll hear more about:
What the âSurvival Paradoxâ is and how it shapes your bodyâs response to trauma and stress. The connection between chronic inflammation and unresolved trauma Simple ways to start healing your body from the inside How acceptance can unlock your healing potential And more!
Our guest, Dr. Isaac Eliaz, is a pioneer in integrative medicine, a world-renowned expert in trauma healing, and the author of The Survival Paradox. For decades, Dr. Eliaz has been bridging the gap between ancient healing wisdom and cutting-edge science, exploring how our biology and emotions are deeply intertwined. His work focuses on the biochemical pathways of trauma, including the role of survival proteins like galectin-3, and how they impact inflammation, healing, and overall health.
If youâve been wanting to reduce your stress levels, overcome your chronic health issues or start healing yourself, then this episode is a must listen to! Letâs dive in!
For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/
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Have you ever felt like stress is draining your energy, focus, and resilienceâno matter how much you try to manage it? What if stress isnât just about whatâs happening around you, but about how your brain and body process it behind the scenes?
In this episode, Dr. Greg Kelly joins Dr. Aimie to dive into the hidden biology of stress and uncover how it consumes your mental bandwidth, disrupts your brainâs energy supply, and impacts your ability to think clearly and recover from challenges. Youâll discover how your brainâs prediction systems influence your stress responseâand, more importantly, how to work with them to prevent burnout and build lasting resilience.
Dr. Kelly is an expert in integrative and functional medicine with years of experience researching how the brain and body handle stress. He has worked extensively on strategies to enhance resilience, combining his deep knowledge of neurobiology, nutrition, and the bodyâs natural stress-response mechanisms.
If youâre ready to stop feeling like stress is always one step ahead of you, this conversation will give you the tools to take back control and create more space for clarity, focus, and well-being in your life.
In this episode, we will be talking about
"The last straw" concept as it relates to stress The 2 biggest contributors to feeling stress overload (hint: itâs not physical) Why predictability is key to managing stress levels How building resilience starts with addressing the brainâs energy needs and reducing oxidative stress. How the right supplements, like Ashwagandha, can support resilience and reduce stress And more!For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/
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Are brain fog, fatigue, and mental exhaustion holding you back?
These symptoms arenât just stress-related or signs of aging. They're often caused by hidden brain inflammation! In this episode, my guest, Dr. Datis Kharrazian, and I discuss neuroinflammation â What it is, what causes it, and how it affects brain function, mood, and overall health.
Youâll discover how factors like stress, diet, gut health, and past head injuries contribute to brain inflammation and what you can do to reduce it. Youâll learn practical lifestyle changes, nutrition tips, and brain-boosting strategies to improve focus, energy, and mental clarity.
Youâll hear more on:
How brain inflammation startsâand why itâs often caused by everyday factors like stress, diet, or past injuries What you can do to calm inflammation naturally, including dietary changes, supplements, and specific lifestyle shifts Why understanding your triggers âfrom food sensitivities to emotional stress â is the key to protecting your brain from long-term damage How to optimize your brain health using tools like intermittent fasting, anti-inflammatory diets, and proper sleep routinesWhether youâve experienced brain fog, recovering from an injury, or just want to preserve your brain function for the future, this episode will give you the tools and knowledge to take control of your brain health!
For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/
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Is our biology predisposing us to addictive tendencies?
Addiction isnât just about willpowerâitâs deeply rooted in biology. Today, we dive into how our own biology can make it easier to fall into an addiction and make it harder to break free. Why is that though? Because it gives us leverage points to both prevent or treat addictions.
Similar to trying to treat trauma just with therapy and not including the biology, addictions is a mind-body and biology condition and will require such an approach for the best outcomes.
The late Dr. Charles Gant, who was our guest for this episode, achieved an 83% success rate in addiction recoveryâfar surpassing conventional methods that have less than a 50% success rate. By targeting neurotransmitter imbalances, detoxifying the body, and optimizing nutrition, his method offers a revolutionary path to true healing beyond traditional treatment.
To honor him, this conversation highlights his outstanding efforts in understanding and overcoming addiction.
Youâll learn more about:
Why relapse is more often a result of unaddressed biological imbalances How genetic vulnerabilities and neurotransmitter deficiencies contribute to addiction and coping patterns What you can do to naturally to improve mood and focus How detoxification can accelerate recovery and create long-term healingFor more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/
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How does trauma impact the âhidden spacesâ of our body, making emotions and toxins deeply connected?
Welcome to today's episode, where we're diving into a fascinating frontier of healing that might just explain why traditional approaches to trauma and chronic pain sometimes fall short.
Whether you're a practitioner working with clients or patients or someone on your own healing journey, you've likely noticed that trauma and stress seem to leave their mark on the body in ways that talk therapy alone can't always reach. Maybe you've experienced or witnessed how emotional stress shows up as physical pain, or how physical treatments sometimes trigger unexpected emotional releases.
There's a reason for this, and one reason lives in a part of your body that, until recently, has been largely overlooked: fascia and extracellular matrix.
Don't worry if these terms are new to you â we're going to break down these complex systems into practical understanding that you can use. What's exciting is that this knowledge bridges the gap between physical and emotional healing.
To help us understand this topic, Iâm joined by my friend Dr. Christine Schaffner, a board-certified naturopathic physician and an expert in treating complex chronic conditions from her clinic in Seattle, where she uses innovative therapies that focus on the bodyâs natural ability to heal.
In this episode, weâll explore:
How trauma is stored in the fascia and extracellular matrix How fascia impacts everything from chronic pain to emotional resilience Why lymphatic health needs to be part of trauma recovery Why a detox can cause emotional reactions How to safely approach detox Practical simple steps to support your bodyâs healing process that you can do at home.For more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/
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What are common beliefs we form about ourselves that leave us unable to connect, trust and receive love later as adults?
Have you ever wondered why success doesn't automatically translate to feeling fulfilled?
Or why, despite all our achievements, there's still that nagging feeling that we need to prove ourselves? Today's episode sharing an adoption story might just explain why.
Today, JJ Virgin joins me to share a deeply personal story that is part of her reason for her remarkable professional success. In this episode, JJ talks openly about the challenges of growing up feeling like she had to rely only on herself, how those feelings drove her to professional success, and the breakthroughs sheâs experienced that have helped her heal old wounds, become a proud mom and find love.
Yet, this conversation isnât just for those who have been adoptedâ though it will help you understand yourself better if you have and help you understand anyone in your life who has been. Rather, this episode is about recognizing the unconscious pain that we carry from our childhood.
In this episode, youâll learn:
How early experiences shape our beliefs about love, trust, and self-worth The conundrum of relying only on ourselves Simple ways to build trust when we havenât been able to trust others How to better support those in your life who have a history of being adoptedFor more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/
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Have you ever wondered why you are so reactive - to people, foods, smells, sounds and stress - while other people around you seem completely fine?
You are going in overdrive or even going into overwhelm, and think you just must be having a bad day or looking for what triggered you.
The answer might surprise you. A specific cell of your immune system, mast cells, could be actually causing trauma responses in your body, putting you into emotional states, that have less to do with the people around you and more with a compound those cells release, histamine.
Today we're tackling a commonly overlooked underlying reason for anxiety. We will be answering the question, How do mast cell activation and mold toxicity keep us stuck in our responses and triggers to trauma?
Before we dive in, I want to dedicate this episode to the loving memory of our guest Beth O'Hara, who passed away in July 2024.
Beth was a pioneering functional naturopath who transformed countless lives through her work with Mast Cell 360, helping people understand and heal from complex cases of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), mold toxicity, and related conditions. She was a friend to me and I am sad to not have more time and conversations with her.
In this episode, you'll discover:
How to recognize if histamine is driving your anxiety Why mold exposure can keep your body stuck in trauma responses long after exposure How mast cells bridge your immune system and emotional overwhelm Why and how mast cells will block your ability to create inner safety Practical tools to decrease reactivity and build resilienceFor more information and show notes, please visit our website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/
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