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 doesn't go away just because we don't 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.

They'll 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. It's 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 Insider's 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.

Related Podcasts:

• 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

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 Trauma® 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.

You'll hear more about:

• 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

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.

They'll 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.

They'll 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 Insider's Circle where you can pre-order your copy and receive monthly readings with Dr. Aimie.

Related Podcasts:

• Episode 90: Beyond Talk Therapy: Addressing the Biochemical Basis of Behavior & Changing Our Response
• Episode 92: ​​How Chaos of Early Childhood Trauma Affects Our Adult Nervous System

Related Youtube Videos:

• The Copper to Zinc Ratio You Need For Healing From Trauma
• Are You Predisposed to Trauma?

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 Trauma® 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.

You'll 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 Can't "Get Over" 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 Trauma® 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 Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

Are you ready to unlock your brain's 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 brain's capacity and what you can do to improve yours.

She'll 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 Brain's 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 Trauma® 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 you're trying to do. In this short episode, Dr. Aimie will share her top takeaways and action steps from episode 110 with Dr. Datis Kharrazian. She'l go into the biology behind brain inflammation in therapy and trauma work.

You'll 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 Trauma® 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.

You'll hear more on:

• 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

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 Treatment

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 Trauma® 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.

You'll 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 Schaffner

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 Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.

" In 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." Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor

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, we're diving into the neuroscience behind grief. In this episode, Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor 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 overwhelming

The 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.

You'll 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 approaches

Whether you're currently navigating grief, supporting someone who is, or simply preparing for inevitable losses, this episode will help you understand why healing isn't "getting over" a loss, but an ever evolving process that fundamentally changes our reality.

Connect with Dr. O'Connor: 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 Trauma® 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!