The Biology of Trauma® With Dr. Aimie

Discover how trauma lives in the body—and how the vagus nerve, nervous system shutdown, and somatic healing explain why stillness can feel unsafe. Through the Biology of Trauma® lens, Dr. Aimie shares the trauma response sequence and the Essential Sequence needed to heal stored trauma without overwhelm. If we've ever felt like we can't stop moving—like sitting still feels unsafe—this episode helps us understand why. I share Jess's story, a 45-year-old marketing director whose chronic busyness protected her from an 8-year-old's stored terror. When her 17-year-old daughter said, "Mom, we never really got to be together," Jess knew something had to change. We'll explore how nervous system dysregulation shows up as high-functioning exhaustion, emotional disconnection, and perfectionism. We'll see how trauma becomes biology—and why our body holds on until it feels safe enough to let go.   In this episode you'll learn: [00:00] Why a "good childhood" doesn't guarantee a nervous system free of trauma [02:15] How Jess's busyness, weight gain, and exhaustion were signs of stored trauma [06:40] Why stillness feels unsafe when the body equates pausing with overwhelm [09:10] Thinking vs feeling: how living in your head blocks somatic trauma healing [12:45] The real definition of trauma: overwhelm inside the body, not just events [16:05] Startle → stress → freeze → shutdown: the trauma response sequence in the nervous system [18:40] How the vagus nerve turns overwhelm into a whole-body shutdown response [21:20] Overwhelm as biology: fatigue, gut issues, emotional eating, and chronic anxiety [24:05] Why somatic work can retraumatize you if you don't feel safe first [26:30] The essential safety sequence: safety → support → growth into calm aliveness [28:15] How Jess used the Foundational Journey to break the cycle with her daughter   Main Takeaways: Trauma Happens Inside the Body: Trauma isn't defined by events—it's what happens inside of us when overwhelm outpaces our capacity to cope. Overwhelm Is Trauma Biology: When the size of the problems we face feels bigger than our resources, our nervous system shifts from stress into trauma—leading to freeze, shutdown, and hopelessness. Chronic Busyness and Perfectionism Can Be Functional Freeze: What looks like overachieving may actually be a protective response. Our body may be using busyness to avoid stored pain. The Vagus Nerve Makes Trauma Physical: It carries the signal of shutdown throughout our system—leading to fatigue, gut issues, disconnection, and a loss of aliveness. We Must Follow the Same Path Out That We Took In: Skipping straight to calm never works. True healing follows this path: Safety → Support → Expansion. Healing Breaks Generational Patterns: Jess's journey shows what becomes possible when we regulate our nervous system and choose presence over protection.   Notable Quotes: "Trauma isn't what happened to us—it's what happened inside of us". "Busyness kept me safe. It kept me from drowning in emotions I couldn't process". "We have to follow the same path that our body took." "Our body holds its truth. Our mind tells us what it wants us to hear." "Safety first, then Support, then Expansion. You cannot skip the sequence." "Our body needs safety to come out of shutdown. Until we create that, it will stay closed."   Episode Takeaway: Trauma isn't about what happened—it's about what overwhelmed our nervous system and pushed it into survival mode. Chronic busyness, perfectionism, and emotional disconnection are often signs our body is still trying to protect us. But when we follow the Essential Sequence—Safety, then Support, then Expansion—we can safely access and resolve what our body has been holding. Healing becomes possible when our body finally knows it's safe to feel, to rest, and to be present.   Resources/Guides: Take the Attachment Pain Quiz: Discover your attachment patterns and how they show up in your nervous system Attachment Trauma Healing Roadmap: Get your personalized roadmap for healing attachment wounds Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma® professional.    Related Episodes: Episode 36: How to Integrate Somatic and Parts Work Part 2: Mind-Body Dialog Questions with Dr. Aimie Apigian Episode 37: How to Integrate Somatic and Parts Work Part 2: Mind-Body Dialog Questions with Dr. Aimie Apigian   Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, and author of the national bestselling book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) that transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After foster-adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she desperately sought for answers that would only continue as she developed chronic health issues. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, facilitating accelerated repair of trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. Comment Etiquette: I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please share and use your name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free and the discussion positive😌

What if the reason you keep saying "I'm fine" isn't about denial or stubbornness—but about your nervous system being programmed to avoid looking at problems because looking feels too dangerous? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian explores the powerful story Dr. Tom O'Bryan shared about Ray—a beloved janitor who said "I'm fine" for three years until the day he finally agreed to testing, pulled over on his way home, and died. This tragic story reveals something critical about trauma: avoidance isn't just psychological, it's a biological survival response. And it's creating a dangerous feedback loop where the very act of avoiding health problems generates more cellular damage through oxidative stress. This episode unpacks why trauma makes us afraid to look at our health, how this avoidance creates the exact biology that makes our problems worse, and most importantly—how to break free from the "I'm fine syndrome" through baby steps and biology repair. In this episode you'll hear more about: The "I'm fine syndrome": How Ray's story illustrates the deadly cost of health avoidance, and why so many people refuse testing even when symptoms are clear—it's not about money or time, it's about fear The first step of trauma: Understanding that avoidance is actually Step 1 of the body's instinctual trauma response (the startle), where blocking our threat assessment tells our body danger is real and escalates the survival response The oxidative damage cascade: Dr. Tom's powerful mousetrap analogy—976,000 mousetraps on a football field, one ping pong ball creating a cascade reaction of "pop, pop, pop"—exactly what's happening inside your cells when you avoid addressing health problems The avoidance-damage feedback loop: How saying "I'm fine" while avoiding health assessments creates more oxidative stress, which damages cells and DNA, which creates more danger signals, which makes you want to avoid even more—a vicious cycle driving disease development Why glyphosate matters for your future family: The shocking research showing 74% of men at fertility centers have glyphosate in their blood, with 300% higher levels in their semen, causing oxidative damage to sperm DNA that leads to 40% increased miscarriage rates and contributes to the autism epidemic (1 in 12 boys in California) The trauma-toxin connection: How stored trauma and toxic chemicals create the same biology—both generate oxidative stress that damages your mitochondria, immune system, and DNA, which is why trauma and toxins always go together as "sisters" or "best friends" Base hits win the ball game: Dr. Tom's strategy for men (and everyone) who feel overwhelmed—allocate one hour per week to learn about ONE health topic, make ONE change, and watch how baby steps transform your health in six months without trying to hit home runs The essential supplements for oxidative stress: What Dr. Tom takes when flying (GS packs with 22 nutrients) and what Dr. Aimie uses (vitamin C, NAC, and injectable NAD) to combat radiation exposure and cellular damage from travel and daily life The Total Tox Burden and Oxidative Stress Profile: The two tests everyone should know about to assess their cellular damage and toxic load before trying to start a family—and why being proactive prevents a lifetime of grief Why "I'm fine" is actually "I'm frozen": Understanding that health avoidance is your nervous system's way of protecting you from feeling powerless, but recognizing this pattern is the first step to building the courage to look and take action The three phases of safe detoxification: Why you must resource your body first, open drainage pathways second, and only then use active binders—jumping straight to celery juice or fasting can actually retraumatize your system The antioxidant repair toolkit: Starting with the fundamentals (vitamin C at 1,000mg, selenium at 200mcg, NAC at 2,000mg daily) plus lifestyle tools like red-light therapy, outdoor morning walks, colorful fruits and vegetables, and optimizing sleep in complete darkness The energy to leave toxic relationships: Why people can't leave toxic environments until they have the biological energy to do so—supporting the body's detoxification and energy production creates the capacity to clear out emotional toxins too 77% and 1 in 12: The devastating statistics that should wake us up—77% of military-age Americans are ineligible to serve due to obesity or cognitive decline, and 1 in 12 boys in California are diagnosed on the autism spectrum by age four, both driven by our toxic environment and the biology of trauma Your body isn't broken—it's trying to protect you from the pain of looking at what feels dangerous. But here's the truth: every moment you avoid looking at your health while saying "I'm fine," you're accumulating more oxidative damage. You're literally rusting from the inside. The good news? You don't have to take the whole mountain in one step. Baby steps—or as Dr. Tom says, base hits—win the ball game. Start with one hour a week. Start with basic antioxidant support. Start with getting curious instead of afraid. Your body has been waiting for you to look with compassion instead of fear. 🎧 Want the full context? This mini episode expands on concepts from Episode #147: The Hidden Biology of Holding On: Toxins, Trauma & True Freedom. Go back and listen to that full episode for Dr. Tom's complete framework on how oxidative stress links childhood trauma to adult disease, why glyphosate is devastating our children's brain development, and how to protect your family's genetic potential. 📖 Want to go deeper? The Biology of Trauma, Chapter 17 (page 299) provides detailed guidance on repairing oxidative stress and supporting your body's natural antioxidant defenses. Download the free guide on oxidative stress repair at biologyoftrauma.com/book 🔬 Ready to look? Learn more about the Total Tox Burden and Oxidative Stress Profile tests Dr. Tom mentioned, and explore other Biology of Trauma episodes on how to safely support your body's healing at biologyoftrauma.com

Our bodies hold onto trauma, toxins, and pain for biological reasons—not willpower. Dr. Aimie Apigian shares her bathtub breaking point and the 3-phase Biology of Trauma® framework that changed everything: how to prepare, open channels, and safely release what our nervous systems have been protecting us from. After her third collarbone break in a 2017 car accident, Dr. Aimie found herself back in depression, chronic fatigue, and developing chronic pain—despite years of therapy and functional medicine work. Crying in a bathtub, she realized her body wasn't broken; it was scared to let go. This episode reveals her discovery of the hidden connection between emotional toxins, psychological toxins, and biochemical toxins—and why our nervous systems hold on to all three. You'll learn the exact six-step process that moves through preparation, opening drainage pathways, and active release, plus why forcing detoxification before our bodies feel safe makes symptoms worse, not better. This framework bridges somatic healing, nervous system regulation, and functional medicine for both individuals struggling with stored trauma and practitioners helping clients who feel stuck. Whether we're dealing with chronic pain, autoimmunity, insomnia, or anxiety that won't shift, or we're therapists or health professionals seeking trauma-informed approaches, this episode explains how to create a biology of letting go. Dr. Aimie shows us how to work with our bodies' protective wisdom instead of fighting against it—so we can finally experience the freedom, authenticity, and healing our nervous systems have been waiting to feel safe enough to allow. In this episode you'll learn: [03:32] Why Your Body Holds On: The relationship with the past that serves survival and the parts that aren't ready to let go [07:00] The Body Trauma Loop: Nervous system pattern of looping between stress and overwhelm that keeps you stuck holding on [12:37] Holding On to Regrets: How regret creates bracing and collapse in the body and why it's one of the hardest things to release [14:58] When Life Didn't Go as Supposed: The deep sadness of holding on to how things were meant to be instead of what is [19:21] The Biggest Myth About Letting Go: Why letting go isn't a decision you make but a biology your body needs to feel safe enough to create [20:33] Three Types of Toxins We Hold: Emotional toxins, psychological toxins, and biochemical toxins all accumulate the same way in your body [23:32] Why Bodies Hold Biochemical Toxins: When you have a biology of holding on emotionally, you also hold mold, metals, parasites, and environmental toxins [28:00] Three Phases of Letting Go: Preparation, opening channels, and deep cleaning—why skipping preparation makes everything worse [31:52] What Happens When You Detox Wrong: Fatigue, mood issues, sleep problems, and brain fog all worsen when deep cleaning happens without open channels [34:11] The Six-Week Process: Creating safety, building support, working with breath, pacing the release, feeling emotions, and active detoxification [38:45] Opening Drainage Pathways: Why poop, pee, and sweat matter for letting go and how constipation keeps trauma stuck [41:00] Always Do Phases One and Two: Why you should always be resourced with open channels even when not actively detoxifying Main Takeaways: Letting Go is Biology, Not Decision: Your body holds on because it doesn't believe letting go is safe yet, not because you lack willpower or haven't decided to move forward with your mind Emotional and Biochemical Toxins Connect: When you hold emotional toxins from regrets and psychological toxins from limiting beliefs, your biology also holds biochemical toxins like mold, heavy metals, and parasites The Body Trauma Loop Keeps You Stuck: Nervous systems that loop between stress and overwhelm without reaching calm aliveness create a biology of holding on rather than releasing Deep Cleaning Without Preparation Retraumatizes: Doing intensive trauma work or detoxification before opening your channels and creating safety brings pain to the surface without allowing it to leave, making symptoms worse Regrets Create Bracing and Collapse: Holding on to regrets shows up as simultaneous bracing in shoulders and collapse in chest and heart, demonstrating how past pain lives in present body Dysregulation Multiplied by Time Becomes Chronic Conditions: Twenty years of nervous system dysregulation creates autoimmunity, chronic pain, and long-haul syndromes through accumulated toxin burden that body won't release Three Phases Must Follow Sequence: Preparation creates safety, opening channels allows ventilation, and deep cleaning releases what's ready—skipping steps or reversing order causes more harm than healing Always Resource and Keep Channels Open: Even when not actively detoxifying, you should always be doing phases one and two to prevent accumulation and stay ready for life's hard experiences Notable Quotes: "If it makes you sick 20 years later, that wasn't stress—that was trauma. You see childhood through adult eyes now, but that's not how you lived it." "Trauma becomes our biology. Then our biology blocks our healing, joy, and authenticity."  "The more emotional toxins we hold, the more biochemical toxins our body holds—mold, plastics, heavy metals, parasites." "Deep cleaning without release retraumatizes us. We surface the trauma but don't let it leave. It makes things worse."  "Once we recognize we're holding on, the choice becomes clear: stay small and safe, or let go safely and live freely."  Episode Takeaway: Letting go isn't about willpower—it's biology our nervous system needs to feel safe to create. When we hold emotional toxins, our body creates a biology of holding on. That same biology holds biochemical toxins: mold, heavy metals, parasites. Our bodies don't distinguish between toxic emotions and toxic chemicals. Both require the same three-phase process to release safely. Preparation creates safety so our nervous system considers letting go. Opening channels provides ventilation so what surfaces can actually leave. Deep cleaning happens last because without preparation, pain surfaces with nowhere to go. This is why intensive trauma work or aggressive detox makes fatigue, mood, and pain worse. The key insight: always do phases one and two, even when not actively detoxifying. Keep our drainage pathways open to prevent accumulation. When we're emotionally or physically constipated, toxins build up instead of moving through. Letting go becomes a way of being—creating a biology that releases rather than holds on. Resources/Guides: Visit biologyoftrauma.com for more resources on the Biology of Trauma® framework The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma® professional.  Related Episodes: Episode 1: What Professionals Need to Know About the Chronic Freeze Response with Dr. Peter Levine Episode 57: ACEs: How the Body Holds and Hides Pain with Dr. Vincent Felitti   our host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, and author of the national bestselling book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) that transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After foster-adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she desperately sought for answers that would only continue as she developed chronic health issues. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, facilitating accelerated repair of trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. Comment Etiquette: I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please share and use your name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free and the discussion positive😌

What if the reason connection feels so hard isn't about willpower or awareness—but about your brain literally not getting the dopamine reward that makes relationships feel joyful and worth pursuing? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian dives into groundbreaking 2009 research that revealed something shocking: mothers with insecure attachment showed almost no dopamine response to their own babies' faces—whether smiling or crying. This isn't about not loving their children; it's about their brains not experiencing the biological reward that makes caregiving feel naturally joyful. This episode explores why attachment rupture and addiction are so deeply connected (hint: they're both about dopamine), how your attachment style literally changes your brain's reward response to connection, and most importantly—what you can do about it at the biological level. In this episode you'll hear more about: The dopamine discovery: How the 2009 brain imaging study revealed that insecurely attached mothers showed almost no dopamine response to their own babies, while securely attached mothers had robust reward center activation Why connection feels hard: Understanding that dopamine is the "meaning-making" neurotransmitter that says "this is good, do this again"—and without it, authentic connection doesn't bring the same sense of joy or motivation The attachment-addiction link: Why addictions are fundamentally about managing dopamine, and how attachment rupture creates the same dopamine dysregulation that drives addictive patterns The blunted response reality: What it actually means when a mother doesn't get the dopamine hit from her baby's face—she's fighting her own biology to find joy in caregiving, making everything feel harder than it should The ripple effect beyond parenting: How insecure attachment creates a blunted dopamine response to ALL authentic relationships, not just with children—affecting your capacity for joy in connection throughout your life The neurotransmitter soup: How dopamine interfaces with oxytocin (the bonding neurotransmitter and stress reducer), serotonin, endorphins, and GABA to create the biology of attachment Why talking isn't enough: The critical understanding that we must repair attachment at the biology level, not just through awareness—otherwise we're literally fighting against our own neurotransmitter systems Dr. Aimie's personal biology: Her vulnerable sharing about being born with undermethylation, creating naturally lower serotonin and dopamine activity from birth, making her nervous system less available for bonding The practical repair toolkit: How to support dopamine production through tyrosine (the amino acid building block for dopamine) and DL-Phenylalanine (the gentler option for sensitive systems) The cofactor support: Why B6 and magnesium are essential nutrients your body needs to actually make dopamine from these building blocks The root cause approach: How supporting undermethylation with SAM-e helped Dr. Aimie change her epigenetics and eventually get off two mood medications by addressing the biology underneath The biochemical imbalances: Why the same three biochemical imbalances show up in both stored trauma and attachment insecurities—and how to assess your own biology Your attachment style isn't just psychological—it's biological. When we understand that insecure attachment creates measurable changes in neurotransmitter responses, we can stop blaming ourselves for why connection feels so hard and start addressing the root cause. The good news? Your biology can change. 🎧 Want the full context? This mini episode is a deep dive into the research touched on in Episode #146:How Attachment Affects Us For Life: 6 Childhood Pains and How to Repair. Go back and listen to that full episode for the complete framework on how your childhood survival style shaped your attachment patterns—and how understanding this connection changes everything about your healing journey. 📖 Want to go deeper? The Biology of Trauma, Chapter 14 (page 207) provides detailed guidance on supporting neurotransmitter imbalances. Download the free guide on the three most common biochemical imbalances at biologyoftrauma.com/book

Many people struggle with anxiety, relationship patterns, or chronic health conditions without realizing these challenges stem from attachment trauma stored in the body. Attachment isn't just about relationship styles or emotional patterns—it lives in our nervous system, immune system, and cellular biology, creating survival mechanisms that formed before we could even walk. In this episode, I reveal how attachment trauma begins in utero and shapes three distinct childhood survival styles that show up in your life today. I share my own rocking chair moment with my adopted son Miguel, explaining how that experience led me to discover the three critical elements that create secure or insecure attachment: attunement, neurodevelopment, and biology. You'll learn about the six types of attachment pain—from "hold me" to "love me"—and discover why people-pleasing, perfectionism, chronic overwhelm, and even autoimmune conditions trace back to these early survival adaptations. Whether you're a professional working with attachment issues, someone recognizing your own patterns, or a parent wanting to break intergenerational cycles, this episode bridges conventional psychology with nervous system regulation and functional medicine. You'll understand why traditional talk therapy often hits a wall with attachment healing, and what becomes possible when you address the body's stored attachment pain across all three levels: mind, body, and biology. In this episode, you'll learn: [00:00:22] Why attachment trauma lives in your body's cells and immune system, not just your relationship patterns [00:05:11] Three critical elements that create secure or insecure attachment: attunement, neurodevelopment, and biology [00:10:32] Critical Element #1 - Attunement: The trust cycle and co-regulation through eye contact, touch, and need responsiveness [00:15:34] The Rope Test: discovering your primary childhood survival style in relationships when survival feels at stake [00:18:48] Critical Element #2 - Neurodevelopment: How tummy time and crawling gaps create anxiety, ADHD, and sensory issues [00:24:41] Critical Element #3 - Biology: Which neurotransmitters promote connection versus protection in your nervous system [00:27:49] Attachment Pain #1 - Hold Me: Early holding needs and global high intensity activation pattern [00:30:02] Attachment Pain #2 - Hear Me: When your needs weren't heard and you learned to rescue others while feeling empty [00:32:56] Attachment Pain #3 - Support Me: Movement support gaps that create "I can't" default thinking and overwhelm [00:35:22] Attachment Pain #4 - See Me & Attachment Pain #5 - Understand Me: Being different and unique, yet feeling drained when people don't understand you [00:37:05] Attachment Pain #6 - Love Me: Perfectionism, high inner anxiety, and the fear of being unlovable [00:40:35] The repair approach: addressing body, mind, and biology across all six attachment pain types Main Takeaways: Attachment Lives in Your Body, Your Mind: Attachment trauma isn't only about relationship patterns or emotional wounds—it's stored in your nervous system, immune system, digestive system, and cells. Your body holds muscle memory of childhood survival patterns that show up as chronic health conditions, hypervigilance, people-pleasing, and perfectionism decades later. Three Critical Elements Create Your Attachment Foundation: Attunement (co-regulation through touch and responsiveness), neurodevelopment (movement milestones like crawling), and biology (neurotransmitter balance) all determine whether you developed secure or insecure attachment. Gaps in any one of these elements create attachment pain that requires repair across all three levels. The Trust Cycle Builds Nervous System Security: When babies experience the repeated pattern of need-dysregulation-need met-regulation-connection, they develop inborn trust that "when I have a need, I'm going to be okay because they always come." Without enough repetitions of this trust cycle, the body stores the belief that survival depends on protection rather than connection. Your Childhood Survival Style Shows Up Today: The Rope Test reveals whether you pull people close, push them away, or feel confused in relationships when your survival feels threatened. These aren't conscious choices—they're stored patterns from how your young self had to survive. Whether pulling close or pushing away, both responses come from protection mode, not connection. Six Sequential Attachment Pains Create Distinct Patterns: Hold me (birth to months), hear me (first year), support me (second year), see me (age three), understand me (age four-five), and love me (age six-seven) represent sequential developmental stages. Each creates specific thoughts, feelings, physical symptoms, and coping mechanisms that can be identified and repaired. Chronic Illness Traces to Stored Attachment Pain: IBS and autoimmunity connect to "hold me" attachment pain, food issues and emotional eating link to "hear me" attachment pain, and back pain flare-ups and stomach ulcers signal "understand me" attachment insecurity. These aren't random—they're the body's downstream response to unresolved attachment trauma. Notable Quotes: "For him, survival meant protecting his heart." "There's an existential anxiety that is created when you don't know if you really exist." "You can have had great parents and still have these survival patterns from your childhood.  "Everything that I experience today is filtered through my attachment foundation."  "If I don't change my filter, I will continue to recreate the same pain for the rest of my life." Episode Takeaway: When my five-year-old adopted son told me he would kill me tomorrow while I held him like a baby, I realized his survival depended on protecting his heart—not connecting. That rocking chair moment launched six years of searching that revealed attachment isn't just psychological, it's biological. Your attachment foundation formed through three critical elements: attunement, neurodevelopment, and biology. Gaps create six sequential attachment pains that live in your nervous system and show up as chronic health conditions, relationship patterns, and survival responses today. True repair requires addressing all three levels simultaneously—mind, body, and biology—because everything you experience is filtered through your childhood attachment foundation. Resources/Guides: The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma® professional.  Related Episodes: Episode 69: How Attachment Shapes Our Biology and Behavior with Dr. Aimie Apigian Episode 128: How Attachment Trauma Drives Anxiety, Autoimmunity & Chronic Illness Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, and author of the national bestselling book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) that transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After foster-adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she desperately sought for answers that would only continue as she developed chronic health issues. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, facilitating accelerated repair of trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. Comment Etiquette: I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please share and use your name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free and the discussion positive😌

Why does the simple act of smelling essential oils directly regulate the nervous system during trauma and grief? How can practitioners support clients who struggle with feeling their bodies? What if smell is the most underutilized tool for creating safety and embodiment? Seven years ago, Jodi Cohen's 12-year-old son died suddenly in a car accident. Her 14-year-old daughter, about to start high school, needed her mother to stay present through the unimaginable. This episode shares Jodi's journey of daily choosing what helps and what hurts, discovering that smell became her most accessible pathway to nervous system regulation when everything else felt too overwhelming.  You'll learn the science of why our sense of smell is our most direct connection to the limbic system, how rose essential oil counteracts the fear response in the brain, and why smell allows us to titrate our emotional experience in micro-moments rather than getting flooded. This episode bridges functional medicine and somatic trauma healing for both practitioners and individuals navigating grief, chronic pain, or trauma recovery. Whether you're supporting clients through loss or learning to regulate your own nervous system, you'll discover how to use essential oils as deliberate cues of safety that shift your state without anyone noticing. In this episode you'll learn: [00:01:28] Jodi's Story of Loss: How her son's death became a daily practice of choosing what helps and what hurts while parenting through grief [00:03:08] Why Smell is Critical to Survival: The science of olfactory receptors and how rose essential oil counteracts the brain's fear response [00:05:27] Stories Follow State: Why shifting your nervous system state automatically changes your thoughts without working on the stories [00:07:04] Parasympathetic Blend Behind the Ear: How applying essential oils on the vagus nerve regulates sympathetic dominance during overwhelming moments [00:09:11] Flooding Shuts Down Problem-Solving: Why you must regulate your nervous system before you can think clearly or make decisions [00:12:36] When Bedtime Brings Up Everything: How stillness at night surfaces all the grief and feelings we've avoided all day [00:14:24] Creating Neutral Space for Dorsal Vagal: Recognizing shutdown and using oils to observe feelings without reliving trauma [00:21:05] Titrating with Smell: Using essential oils for micro-moments of feeling followed by safe action to build capacity without flooding [00:24:37] Fascia, Lymph, and Nervous System Integration: Why addressing all three systems together creates coherence and lasting regulation [00:27:16] Where to Apply Essential Oils: Finding the divot behind the ear, belly button, and feet for maximum nervous system regulation Main Takeaways: Smell is Our Most Powerful Survival Sense: Of the five senses, smell connects most directly to the limbic system because it alerts us to food, water, predator odor, and fire—making it the most critical sense for survival and the most underutilized tool for nervous system regulation. Rose Essential Oil Counteracts Fear Biology: Research on olfactory receptors shows that rose essential oil directly counteracts the fear response triggered by predator odor in the brain, making it a powerful tool for trauma healing and embodiment. Your Stories Follow Your State: Thoughts and narratives automatically shift with your nervous system state—when you're in calm aliveness you notice beauty, in stress you spiral with worry, in shutdown everything feels hopeless. Shifting state is often easier than changing thoughts. Smell Creates Space Between Stimulus and Response: Essential oils provide the easiest accessible tool to create that critical pause between what happens and how we react, allowing us to move from automatic survival responses to conscious choice. Titration Makes Healing Sustainable: Using smell to titrate emotional experience—feeling for 30 seconds, then shifting attention—builds capacity to stay present with difficult feelings without getting flooded or retraumatized. Go Slowly When Activating Parasympathetic: People who've been sympathetic dominant for years will start detoxifying when they finally feel safe. Start with just smelling oils before topical application to prevent overwhelming the lymphatic system. Fascia, Lymph, and Nervous System Work Together: These three systems are woven together like a marriage—the vagus nerve is the masculine aspect, fascia is the feminine, and when both are in harmony the body moves into coherence. Grief Requires Daily Practice: Healing from trauma and loss isn't about being fixed or finding one solution—it's making a daily choice to lean into tools that work, even when you don't feel like it. Coherence Creates Lasting Change: When you align the nervous system, fascial network, lymphatic system, heart coherence, and limbic system together, you create deadbolts on the door of safety rather than just one lock. Notable Quotes: "When you're flooded, it turns off your access to your prefrontal cortex, which is kind of your problem solving skill. And so you need to regulate your nervous system so that you can problem solve." "It's not like I am fixed or I found this thing. It's that every day I live with chronic pain, I live with hard things, and every day I make a choice to deal with it." "The nervous system, lymphatic system and the fascial network are all woven together. The fascia is kind of the feminine aspect of the nervous system and the vagus nerve is the masculine, and I think they're married and they work together." Episode Takeaway: The healing journey from grief and trauma don't require you to be fixed—they require daily practice of choosing tools that work even when you don't feel like using them. Jodi's journey through the loss of her 12-year-old son reveals why smell became her most accessible pathway to nervous system regulation: essential oils create that critical space between stimulus and response because olfactory receptors connect directly to the limbic system, allowing us to titrate emotional experience in micro-moments, shift our state (which automatically shifts our stories), and regulate before our prefrontal cortex shuts down from flooding. Resources/Guides: Jodi Cohen's Vibrant Blue Oils - Jodi's Parasympathetic blend (clove and lime) applied behind the ear on the vagus nerve, along with her Rose, Lung Support, Limbic Reset, Fascia Release, and Heart blends mentioned throughout this episode. The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma® professional.  Related Episodes: Episode 100: 3 Power Stories: How to Reclaim Your Mental & Physical Health Through Biology of TraumaⓇ with Dr. Aimie Apigian Episode 97: Pain as Protection: Why Your Body Creates Chronic Pain & The 3 Questions to Ask to Release It with Georgie Oldfield   Guest: Jodi Cohen is a bestselling author, award-winning journalist, functional practitioner, and founder of Vibrant Blue Oils, where she creates proprietary blends of organic and wild-crafted essential oils designed specifically for nervous system regulation. After her 12-year-old son's death in 2018 and navigating her ex-husband's bipolar disorder and suicide attempt, Jodi discovered that essential oils provided the most accessible pathway to regulation during overwhelming grief and chronic pain. Her #1 bestselling book "Essential Oils to Boost the Brain and Heal the Body" (Random House) synthesizes decades of scientific research on how essential oils support the body and brain. She has helped over 100,000 clients heal from anxiety, insomnia, autoimmunity, and inflammation, and was recognized as one of the 2024 Enterprising Women of the Year. Visit her website and follow her on Instagram. Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, and author of the national bestselling book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) that transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After foster-adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she desperately sought for answers that would only continue as she developed chronic health issues. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, facilitating accelerated repair of trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. Comment Etiquette: I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please share and use your name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free and the discussion positive😌

What if your struggle with goodbyes isn't just about being emotional—but reveals something deeper about how you've been protecting yourself from grief? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian shares one of her most personal stories about transformation: how her lifelong pattern of avoiding goodbyes led to carrying decades of unprocessed grief, and how learning to stay present through endings completely changed her life—and became the foundation for the 21-Day Journey. This episode explores the hidden costs of emotional avoidance, why goodbyes can feel unbearable, and how learning to feel complete with experiences is essential for moving forward without regret. Dr. Aimie vulnerably shares her journey from someone who would literally book trips to avoid final goodbyes, to someone who could sit with her dying friend David and ask the question she'd never been able to ask before. In this episode you'll hear more about: The pattern of goodbye avoidance: How Dr. Aimie would emotionally distance herself long before endings arrived, protecting her heart but never feeling complete with experiences The hidden burden of unfinished goodbyes: Getting busy, finding escapes, leaving early—even booking trips specifically to avoid being present for closures The grief underneath: Why each goodbye felt so hard—it was tugging on a lifetime of accumulated, unprocessed grief from every goodbye she'd never properly faced The embarrassment of emotional sensitivity: Hiding her feelings to appear strong and tough, then sobbing alone once she was by herself The pattern of depletion: Always wanting more, never feeling like there was enough time, never feeling complete—and how this connected to her inability to say goodbye David's story: Meeting an 82-year-old man who became a dear friend during the pandemic, and the decision to bring him home from isolation when he was dying alone The question that changed everything: "Is there anything you feel you need to feel complete before you pass on?"—a question Dr. Aimie had never been able to ask patients in her years working in general surgery The moment of transformation: Sitting with David as he held her hand over his heart, not bracing herself, heart wide open—becoming a completely different person than the Aimie who would've found dishes to do or papers to file The birth of the 21-Day Journey: How the specific exercises and sequence were designed in those final hours with David, born from the realization that if she could change this much, anyone could The commitment to not do it alone: Why Dr. Aimie designed the journey to safely guide others through their healing, just like she did for David—providing not just exercises, but the science and support so no one has to figure it out alone Your relationship with goodbyes reveals more about you than perhaps any other aspect of your life. Learning to stay present through endings, to feel complete with experiences, and to honor what's been while still moving forward—this is the gift of true closure. 🎧 Want more on nervous system healing? This week's full episode is Episode #144: The Perimenopause Revolution: Trauma, Transitions and Tools with Dr. Mariza Snyder, where we explore how perimenopause brings everything up for review—relationships, obligations, and patterns that no longer serve you. Just like learning to be present for goodbyes transforms your capacity for closure, perimenopause becomes an invitation to discern what matters enough to maintain your nervous system regulation in the second half of your life. Don't miss this powerful conversation about why everything you've been tolerating suddenly feels intolerable, and how to navigate midlife transitions with nervous system support!

Many women enter perimenopause unprepared for the brain remodeling and nervous system changes that make this transition feel destabilizing. For practitioners supporting clients through midlife, and for women navigating perimenopause themselves, understanding how stored trauma amplifies symptoms and shrinks capacity changes everything about this journey. This episode features Dr. Mariza Snyder, author of The Perimenopause Revolution, who shares her personal journey through perimenopause while carrying complex PTSD from childhood abuse.  You'll discover why stabilizing blood sugar becomes foundational for cellular energy, how the critical line of overwhelm shifts during perimenopause, and why brain inflammation during this transition feels like cognitive decline.  Dr. Mariza reframes perimenopause as an invitation to review what's up for change—relationships, obligations, and patterns that no longer serve your nervous system—rather than something to survive. In this episode you'll learn: 02:16 Why Blood Sugar Stability Is Pillar One: How stabilizing cellular energy through food becomes foundational during perimenopause and nervous system dysregulation 04:30 Perimenopause as Neuroendocrine Transition: Understanding neuroinflammation and brain remodeling during erratic hormone decline 08:14 When Executive Function Falters: Why women who effortlessly managed 100 tabs suddenly can't multitask the way they used to 11:22 Change and Stored Trauma: Why perimenopause triggers those carrying trauma—change means the unknown, and the unknown feels more dangerous than familiar suffering 14:18 Everything Up for Review: How perimenopause forces discernment about what you've been tolerating, prioritizing, and saying yes to 17:03 The Critical Line of Overwhelm Shifts: How perimenopause shortens your capacity threshold and why that might be the invitation you need 20:53 The Cake Pop Phenomenon: Why women operate disconnected from their bodies and how perimenopause demands new attunement 23:14 Progesterone, GABA, and Melatonin Decline: The alarming rate at which women lose these calming neurochemicals during perimenopause 27:09 Shifting State Through Grounding: Practical strategies like naming objects in the room to get prefrontal cortex online 28:34 The Five Week Midlife Reset Plan: Movement, sleep strategies, meal plans, recipes, and symptom trackers to create wins without overwhelm Main Takeaways: Cellular Energy Determines Everything: Blood sugar stability creates homeostasis that supports mood regulation, stress tolerance, and nervous system capacity—making it foundational for both perimenopause and trauma healing. Perimenopause Shrinks Your Critical Line of Overwhelm: Your capacity threshold shortens during perimenopause, forcing discernment about relationships, obligations, and patterns that push you over the edge into dysregulation. Brain Inflammation Mimics Cognitive Decline: The erratic decline of estrogen, progesterone, GABA, and melatonin creates neuroinflammation that feels like early dementia but is actually your brain remodeling for the second half of life. The Hundred-Tab Brain Stops Working: Executive function that allowed effortless multitasking begins to falter—it's a time your brain is recalibrating to focus on one thing at a time. Stored Trauma Amplifies Perimenopause Symptoms: Women with childhood trauma, hypervigilant nervous systems, and complex PTSD experience perimenopause as more destabilizing because change triggers survival responses rooted in the unknown feeling dangerous. Everything Comes Up for Review: Perimenopause forces examination of what you've been tolerating—work obligations, relationships, people-pleasing patterns, and the habit of prioritizing everyone else before yourself. Disconnected Demands New Attunement: Operating disconnected from your body (all cerebral, nothing below the neck) no longer works—perimenopause demands you drop into your body and form new relationships with its signals. Notable Quotes: "If we could just optimize, stabilize our cellular energy through stabilizing our blood sugar, we really set a great foundation." "We could have a hundred tabs open and manage them effortlessly. And then I remember the day where I was really having to effort because that level of executive function begins to falter." "Nothing is wrong. Stop trying to find something to do right now. Like, just be present in the moment." "I feel like a cake pop sometimes. Everything is just happening here and what's below my head, there's nothing below. You know, I'm so disconnected." "Perimenopause is a time for discernment, because everything is up for review. We get to work on the trauma because it's probably coming up for review." "The critical line of overwhelm—you have less of a line. It shortens. And I don't necessarily think that that is a bad thing if you can become aware." Episode Takeaway: Perimenopause isn't just about hot flashes and missed periods. Your brain is literally remodeling itself. Hormones that showed up predictably for decades now arrive erratically. For women carrying stored trauma, this feels destabilizing. Change means the unknown. The unknown feels dangerous. You don't know who you're becoming. You don't know what your capacity will be. You don't know if you can trust your brain anymore. Your nervous system responds the only way it knows how—by staying on alert. The critical line of overwhelm shifts during perimenopause. Your capacity threshold shortens. What felt manageable last year now pushes you over the edge. The relationships that drain you. The obligations you never wanted. The people-pleasing patterns you've carried for decades. They suddenly feel intolerable. Your nervous system no longer has bandwidth for what doesn't serve you. Stabilizing cellular energy through blood sugar becomes foundational because dysregulation multiplied by time creates the neuroinflammation that mimics cognitive decline. Women who operated as "cake pops"—all cerebral, disconnected from body signals—discover that perimenopause demands new attunement. Your body is no longer willing to be ignored. The invitation is to grieve your former self, accept your brain's recalibration, and choose what you're calling into the second half of your life with fierce discernment about what matters enough to maintain your nervous system regulation. Resources/Guides: The Perimenopause Revolution by Dr. Mariza Snyder - The comprehensive manual for navigating perimenopause with nervous system support, blood sugar strategies, movement plans, meal plans, and the five-week midlife reset. Get the book and access over $700 in bonuses at drmariza.com/book The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma® professional.  Related Episodes: Ep 166: The Body Keeps Score: How Trauma Rewires Your Nervous System with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk Ep 123: Light, Sleep and High-Impact Habits To Heal Your Nervous System   Guest: Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner and author of The Perimenopause Revolution, the comprehensive guide helping women navigate perimenopause with nervous system regulation, cellular energy optimization, and practical strategies for the decade-long transition. With her own experience of complex PTSD and hypervigilant nervous system, she brings both clinical expertise and personal understanding to supporting women through midlife brain remodeling. Learn more at drmariza.com and connect with her on Instagram @drmariza. Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, and author of the national bestselling book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) that transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After foster-adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she desperately sought for answers that would only continue as she developed chronic health issues. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, facilitating accelerated repair of trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. Comment Etiquette: I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please share and use your name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free and the discussion positive😌

After treatment, Dirci was told by her oncologist to go back to her life as "normal." But as she steps into the cancer support groups, everyone is in fear of remission. Melanie received the diagnosis of breast cancer, felt the fear of if treatment would get it all, and decided now was the best time for nervous system healing -not later. She finds herself on the radiation table using her somatic tools and finding a calm and a freedom that surprises the nurses.  Many people receive cancer diagnoses without anyone explaining how stress, trauma and nervous system dysregulation create the biological conditions where disease can be welcomed.  For practitioners supporting clients through cancer treatment, and for individuals navigating their own healing journey, understanding the connection between stored trauma and physical health changes everything about experiencing freedom from the fear that accompanies a diagnosis, even after successful treatment. This episode shares two stories about breast cancer and the nervous system regulation work that became essential to their ability to find freedom during and after the treatment.  You'll hear from Dirci, a mother of twins who developed breast cancer during the pandemic after years of daily overwhelm, and Melanie, whose postpartum anxiety and childhood hypervigilance preceded her diagnosis.  Both women went where their oncologists said wouldn't make a difference—yet addressing their nervous system dysregulation became the missing, foundational piece for their emotional health. Their journeys reveal what becomes possible when we heal the underlying Biology of Trauma® instead of returning to the patterns that created illness. In this episode you'll learn: [02:01] Dirci's Story: How her sister's death, twins' therapy sessions, and daily overwhelm preceded breast cancer [10:54] When Doctors Say "Go Back to Normal": Why returning to life as usual after treatment felt wrong [14:09] The Moment Everything Clicked: Discovering trauma in her body through Dr. Aimie's interview [18:30] From Information to Embodiment: How the 21 Day Journey created awareness and presence in daily life [21:04] The Transformation Others Noticed: Looking better after cancer treatment than before diagnosis [27:02] Melanie's Story: Postpartum anxiety, rage, and hypervigilance that preceded her breast cancer diagnosis [36:04] Using Rage as a Pause Button: How anger became a coping mechanism to control overwhelming environments [41:45] Going Through Treatment with Peace: Using the heart hold on the radiation table instead of panic [48:26] Tools That Don't Wear Out: Why nervous system regulation practices remain effective years later [49:40] Healing the Next Generation: Breaking intergenerational trauma patterns by regulating your own nervous system Main Takeaways: Normal Was What Made Them Sick: When doctors said "return to life as normal," both women recognized that normal—daily overwhelm, hypervigilance, pushing through exhaustion—was what had created the conditions for illness in their bodies. Too Much Too Fast and Too Little for Too Long: Dirci's story shows how these two trauma patterns combined—sudden losses and daily therapy stressors—created chronic nervous system dysregulation that manifested as breast cancer two years later. Cancer Communities Can Create More Fear: Traditional cancer support groups focused on recurrence statistics and survival rates kept both women in fear states, while trauma healing communities offered a path toward joy and aliveness instead. Awareness Creates Different Parenting: Learning to regulate her own nervous system helped Dirci recognize when her children were in sympathetic or shutdown states, allowing her to parent from understanding rather than trying to change behaviors. The Body Needs Tending During Treatment: Melanie went through radiation and biopsies with peace by using tools like the heart hold and orienting—creating connection with medical staff instead of panic. Healing Tools That Don't Wear Out: Unlike other modalities that lose effectiveness over time, the nervous system regulation tools from the 21 Day Journey remained relevant and powerful for both women years later. Moving From Hours to Presence: Dirci shifted from feeling like she never had enough hours in the day to actually being present in her life—the essence of the healing journey.   Notable Quotes: "I knew that the way my life was happening was what put me into cancer. So I needed to find help." - Dirci Souza "I don't want to have fear, I just want to support my body. I would rather be working towards finding a path to feel joy and feel alive than to take a path that brings along the fear." - Dirci Souza "Until then, I had no idea. Didn't cross my mind. Trauma. Am I traumatized? For me it was just life. What I was going through and I needed to be brave, I was surviving." - Dirci Souza "I used anxiety to fuel myself. So I would keep doing whatever it is I needed to do. That's the energy I ran on." - Melanie "I could not have imagined remaining so calm and centered going through cancer treatment. I could put my hand over my heart right there on the radiation table. That was one of my favorite moments through the whole cancer journey." - Melanie   Episode Takeaway: When oncologists say "return to life as normal" after cancer treatment, they miss a critical piece: normal was often what created the conditions for illness. Both Dirci and Melanie's stories reveal how years of nervous system dysregulation—chronic hypervigilance, pushing through exhaustion, using anxiety as fuel—created the biological environment where cancer could develop. Dysregulation multiplied by time creates disease. Their diagnoses arrived after years of too much too fast combined with too little for too long. The remarkable insight: both women looked better after cancer treatment than before diagnosis. Why? They finally addressed underlying nervous system dysregulation, not just the cancer. Simple tools like the heart hold and vu breath created immediate regulation—Melanie used the heart hold on the radiation table and experienced peace instead of panic. Most powerfully, healing your nervous system heals the next generation through co-regulation, breaking intergenerational trauma biology that manifests as chronic illness decades later. Resources/Guides: The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma® professional.  Related Episodes: Episode 32: What are the Ways the Body Communicates Stored Trauma? with Dr. Aimie Apigian Episode 74: Why Stored Traumas Become Syndromes & Somatic Solutions with Peter Levine Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, and author of the national bestselling book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) that transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After foster-adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she desperately sought for answers that would only continue as she developed chronic health issues. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, facilitating accelerated repair of trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. Comment Etiquette: I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please share and use your name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free and the discussion positive😌  

What if the brain fog you're experiencing isn't just tiredness—but your nervous system's way of disconnecting you from an unbearable reality? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian answers a question from Rachel, a therapist in Seattle, about why the freeze response is associated with brain fog. Many people think of the freeze response as simply paralysis, not understanding the sophisticated biological mechanisms happening at the cellular level. This episode dives deep into the freeze response—when it happens, why it happens, and the brain inflammation that creates the disconnection and fog we experience. Understanding this biology helps us recognize when we or someone we're working with has a chronic functional freeze, so we know where to start with healing. In this episode you'll hear more about: The five steps the body takes to go into a trauma response—starting with activation and crossing the critical line of overwhelm The two reasons we cross that critical line: "too much too fast" (excessive activation) and "too little for too long" (prolonged stress without recovery) Why your nervous system decides certain situations are life threats—even when logically they're not (like being berated in residency or hearing hurtful words from someone you care about) The cellular biology of brain fog: How immune cells in your brain (microglia) unleash inflammation, cytokines, and chemokines that create the mental disconnection and fog The surreal feeling of freeze: Why voices sound distant, why you feel like you're in a daze, and why people around you seem far away even though they're right there Chronic functional freeze: The state where you're still functioning and going through life, but secretly wanting to hide, using substances like caffeine or food (especially histamine-producing foods) to push through Why anxiety is often your body fighting the freeze—using stress to stay out of shutdown, which is why relief from anxiety can sometimes make you fall into that heaviness The brain inflammation protocol: Specific nutrients and practices to keep your microglia in their resting state, including NAC, magnesium L-threonate, luteolin, GABA, resveratrol, and turmeric Ocular-cardiac reflex (eye support): A simple but powerful tool where gently pressing on closed eyes activates the vagus nerve for immediate calm Why starting with the freeze is essential—opening up the chronic functional freeze gives you more energy to dedicate to the healing journey Dr. Aimie's personal story of a biking accident and concussion—experiencing the freeze response firsthand as she regained consciousness on the sidewalk The freeze response isn't weakness or paralysis—it's your nervous system's sophisticated survival strategy when it perceives a life threat. Brain fog is always part of the freeze response, created by immune cells in your brain that help you disconnect from unbearable reality. Understanding this biology helps you recognize the freeze in yourself or others, and know that working with it is where healing must start. 🎧 Want the full conversation? This mini episode expands on Episode 142: Why Stress Isn't Trauma: How to Spot Overwhelm and Start Healing Your Nervous System with Dr. Aimie Apigian, where Dr. Aimie explores the difference between stress and trauma responses and how to recognize when you've crossed the critical line of overwhelm.

Why does brain inflammation happen during the freeze response? How do you explain the difference between stress and trauma to patients? What's the single most important starting point for nervous system regulation? This episode answers these critical questions while revealing why emotional eating isn't a willpower problem and introducing the simple three-day tracking tool that changes everything for healing. You'll discover the critical line of overwhelm - that invisible threshold where stress becomes trauma - and learn practical strategies you can implement immediately to support your nervous system and begin the repair process. In this episode you'll learn: [01:19] The Biggest Myth: Why confusing stress and trauma leads to minimizing experiences and self-shame  [02:11] Physician's Lens on Trauma: If it makes you sick 20 years later, it wasn't just stress  [06:04] Three Nervous System States: Understanding polyvagal theory and the critical line of overwhelm  [09:52] Brain Inflammation During Freeze: Why immune cells unleash inflammation as protective survival strategy  [13:25] Dysregulation Multiplied by Time: Why autoimmunity takes 20 years of nervous system dysregulation to appear  [14:40] Three-Day Nervous System Journal: Simple hourly tracking tool that reveals hidden patterns  [19:00] The Gut-Brain Connection: Why your gut is inseparable from brain health and trauma loops  [21:22] Emotional Eating and Functional Freeze: Understanding food's hidden functions beyond willpower  [24:40] The #1 Starting Point: Why quality sleep has greatest impact on nervous system regulation  [25:44] Aligning with Circadian Rhythm: Morning sunlight, red light therapy, and working with your body's healing strategies Main Takeaways: Stress vs. Trauma Requires Different Repair: If it makes you sick 20 years later, it was trauma requiring fundamentally different approaches than stress management The Critical Line of Overwhelm: Personal capacity threshold where activation becomes trauma and the body automatically hits emergency brake Brain Inflammation Serves Protection: Immune cells unleash inflammation during freeze to facilitate disconnection and energy conservation for survival Time Compounds Dysregulation: Autoimmunity requires approximately 20 years of nervous system dysregulation to manifest as diagnosable disease Three-Day Tracking Creates Awareness: Hourly nervous system tracking reveals patterns showing time spent in shutdown, stress, or calm aliveness Innate Healing Requires Right Conditions: Surgical incisions prove the body heals itself when blocks are removed and proper support provided Gut-Brain Creates Stuck Points: Imbalanced gut causes neurochemical problems feeding back to worsen gut issues, limiting therapy progress Food Function Reveals Need: Emotional eating serves specific purposes - staying awake, avoiding feelings, managing energy - not willpower failure Sleep Impacts Everything: Quality sleep has greatest single effect on nervous system regulation and reduces sugar cravings Notable Quotes: "If it makes you sick 20 years later, that was not just stress. That was trauma your body was experiencing in childhood. You're looking at it through the lens of your adult self now, but that's not how you were experiencing it back then." "The critical line of overwhelm is where you've done your best. Your best wasn't good enough, and hitting the wall means there's no point in trying anymore." "Brain inflammation is part of a trauma response. Sometimes it triggers it. Sometimes it's triggered by the freeze response, but they always happen together." "Dysregulation multiplied by time becomes diagnoses. It's predictable." "Track your nervous system, and you'll be amazed at how much you learn about yourself in a week."   Episode Takeaway: The critical line of overwhelm represents your personal threshold where stress becomes trauma and your body automatically engages the emergency brake. Brain inflammation during freeze is part of the deliberate survival strategy - helping you disconnect, go numb, and conserve energy for survival. The insight: dysregulation multiplied by time becomes disease. Autoimmunity takes approximately 20 years of compounded nervous system dysregulation to manifest. This explains why short-term stress doesn't cause chronic illness but prolonged trauma patterns do. The three-day nervous system journal - tracking your inner state hourly - reveals patterns invisible to both practitioners and clients. This tracking tool shows how much time you spend in each of the three states and guides targeted intervention. Quality sleep stands as the single most powerful starting point for nervous system regulation. Better sleep reduces emotional eating, decreases sugar cravings, and increases your capacity to handle stress before crossing that critical line into trauma territory. Resources/Guides: The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma® professional.  Related Episodes: Episode 101: Brain Inflammation: Addressing The Overlooked Gatekeeper To Trauma Release with. Dr Austin Perlmutter Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, and author of the national bestselling book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) that transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After foster-adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she desperately sought for answers that would only continue as she developed chronic health issues. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, facilitating accelerated repair of trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. Comment Etiquette: I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please share and use your name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free and the discussion positive😌

What if having the same gene as your sister doesn't mean you'll have the same outcome? What if trauma and nervous system dysregulation could be the difference between expressing a genetic disease—or not? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian answers a question from Rachel in Texas, who discovered she carries the BRCA gene mutation. Despite making the same lifestyle changes as her sister—who also has the mutation—Rachel developed breast cancer while her sister remained healthy. Why? Dr. Aimie reveals the biological mechanism that connects nervous system dysregulation to genetic expression: oxidative stress. This episode offers a scientifically grounded yet hopeful perspective on why two people with identical genetics can have vastly different health outcomes—and what you can do about it. In this episode you'll hear more about: Why BRCA mutation carriers have a 45-72% lifetime breast cancer risk (versus 12-13% in the general population)—but not everyone with the gene develops cancer The biological link between nervous system dysregulation and oxidative damage to DNA How BRCA genes interact with NRF2 antioxidant pathways, creating increased vulnerability to oxidative stress Why both sympathetic activation (stress/anxiety) and dorsal vagal shutdown (depression/numbness) decrease your body's ability to clear oxidative stress The "calm alive" state: when your body naturally engages its healing and antioxidant repair mechanisms Dana's story from The Biology of Trauma—a physician with childhood trauma who found a breast lump and learned to repair nervous system dysregulation Practical tools: why vitamin C and antioxidant-rich foods (broccoli, blueberries) matter for genetic conditions How somatic self-practices can quickly shift your nervous system state and support cellular repair Why having a genetic condition doesn't mean you're powerless—epigenetics shows us DNA expression can change Genetics load the gun, but environment and nervous system state pull the trigger. This episode is a powerful reminder that even when you carry genetic risk, your nervous system regulation, oxidative stress levels, and daily practices can dramatically influence whether those genes are expressed. Your biology is not a life sentence. 🎧 Want the full conversation? This mini episode expands on Episode 141: Can Trauma Make Genetic Disease Worse? The Role of the Nervous System, where Dr. Aimie explores hereditary conditions and why nervous system work matters even when genetics are involved.

Many people living with genetic conditions like MEN1, or hereditary autoimmune disorders feel trapped by their diagnosis. Practitioners often monitor and treat symptoms without addressing how trauma and nervous system dysregulation amplify those symptoms. But what if your nervous system still holds the key to how you experience your genetic condition? In this conversation, Lizzie Dunn, diagnosed at 13 with MEN1, shares how she came to my work skeptical about trauma's role in genetic disease. She discovered that her body wasn't betraying her. It was protecting her. And through nervous system regulation and somatic work, she experienced shifts she never thought possible. This episode bridges the gap between conventional medicine and trauma healing. Whether you're a practitioner working with genetic conditions or someone living with a hereditary diagnosis, you'll learn how the nervous system acts as the master conductor of your biology. In this episode you'll hear more about: [00:00:09] How nervous system regulation influences genetic disease symptoms [00:03:00] Why the nervous system sees genetic mutations as vulnerabilities that trigger faster trauma responses [00:09:00] How stored trauma creates dysregulation that amplifies all symptoms [00:14:00] Why so many people with chronic conditions live disconnected from their bodies [00:22:00] How paradox and vulnerability are essential parts of healing [00:23:40] Why generational trauma gets passed down through mitochondrial DNA [00:30:00] How healing requires working on mind, body, and biology levels simultaneously [00:36:00] Why small interventions across three areas create bigger shifts than years of single-approach work Main Takeaways: Nervous System as Master Conductor: Even with genetic conditions, the nervous system determines symptom severity by directing all physiological responses and biological adaptations Genetic Vulnerabilities Trigger Faster Trauma Responses: The nervous system sees genetic mutations as vulnerabilities, causing it to move into overwhelm and trauma biology more quickly than if no vulnerabilities existed Body Disconnection is Survival: Living in your head and disconnecting from your body is a protective mechanism to avoid overwhelming sensations of powerlessness, shame, and pain Generational Trauma Through DNA: Trauma passes down through mitochondrial DNA on the mother's side via epigenetic changes from oxidative stress, affecting gene expression in future generations Integration Creates Lasting Change: Single-approach healing (therapy alone, supplements alone, or diet alone) creates temporary shifts; addressing mind, body, and biology simultaneously creates sustainable transformation Small Hinges Move Big Doors: You don't need decades of intensive work; small interventions across three levels create remarkable shifts when done together Body Has Innate Healing Capacity: Like skin healing over surgical incisions, the body can reorganize and reset when blocks at mind, body, and biology levels are removed Notable Quotes: "Even if we have a truly genetic disease, the nervous system is still going to be influencing the degree of symptoms that we have from that." "The nervous system is what drives all the other systems, because it's what changes them, allows them to adapt to our environment. And so the nervous system, when it becomes dysregulated in its responses, it's going to cause dysregulation of all the other symptoms and systems." "Why would I want to be in my body? My body is in pain, emotional pain, physical pain. I don't like my body. My body is working against me. At least that's the thought that I have. Why would I want to be in my body?" "That's not resilience. That's pushing through, that's surviving. So let's call it that. Let's call it, Hey, you're surviving, you're pushing through. But that kind of resilience is going to come at a cost." "Epigenetics do get passed down to us, and it gets passed down, especially through the mother because of the mitochondrial DNA that gets passed on to the children." "You actually don't have to do that much of each to start seeing shifts. But we do need to bring in all three because when you have all three, they're like small hinges. And when you've got small hinges and you've got three of these small, you just did baby steps, small hinges move big doors in our life." Episode Takeaway: Living with a genetic condition doesn't mean you're powerless over your symptoms. Your nervous system acts as the master conductor of your biology, determining how severely you experience your hereditary condition. When you have genetic vulnerabilities, your nervous system perceives them as threats and moves into trauma biology faster, creating dysregulation across all systems. The exhaustion many people feel isn't just from their disease—it's amplified by stored trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and the survival mechanism of disconnecting from their body. True healing requires removing blocks at three levels simultaneously: addressing self-limiting beliefs through parts work, completing interrupted protective responses through somatic work, and supporting cellular function through biology interventions. When you provide support across all three levels, small interventions create remarkable shifts. Your body has innate healing capacity—when blocks are removed, it can reorganize, reset, and return to its best possible state, regardless of genetic vulnerabilities. Resources/Guides: The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Foundational Journey - If you are ready to create your inner safety and shift your nervous system, join me and my team for this 6 week journey of practical somatic and mind-body inner child practices. Lay your foundation to do the deeper work safely and is the pre-requisite for becoming a Biology of Trauma professional.. Related Episodes: Episode 118: How Practitioners Can Navigate Their Own Chronic Illness and Healing Journey Episode 128: How Attachment Trauma Drives Anxiety, Autoimmunity & Chronic Illness Related YouTube videos: Trauma: Genetic vs. Epigenetic Insights with Dr. Bruce Lipton | Dr. Aimie Apigian   Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, revolutionizes trauma healing by revealing how our cells—not just our minds—store trauma. Her book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she developed an integrative science-based sequence for the healing journey. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, proving that repairing trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology is possible. Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. 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!

You push through exhaustion, telling yourself it's just stress. Your body sends signals you can't ignore: chronic fatigue, unexplained pain, digestive issues, mood swings. What if these are messages about the emotional wounds that remain unresolved from your past? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Partha Nandi for a conversation on chronic health issues, share five key insights that transform how we understand trauma's biological impact. This episode gives you the core concepts from the new book, The Biology of Trauma, about how trauma impacts your body, your own biology maintains the survival state and the repair tools needed for healing.   Key Topics & Timestamps: [00:50] Why I Wrote This Book: For the high-performing person who doesn't realize their body is accumulating trauma until a health crisis forces recognition [01:18] The 2014 Wake-Up Call: From marathon runner to unable to get out of bed during surgery residency - the moment everything changed [03:01] Trauma as Biology, Not Psychology: How adverse childhood experiences become measurable disease patterns decades later [04:29] The Biology of Being Stuck: Understanding functional freeze and why growth becomes impossible in trauma states [06:14] Science-Based Healing Pathways: Creating biology of safety through mitochondrial support, antioxidants, and repair tools [08:26] What Makes This Book Different: Bridging Western medicine with trauma healing using specific biomarkers and measurable changes [10:30] Beyond Trauma-Informed Awareness: Why awareness without actionable tools still fails patients and what to do instead [17:00] Insight #1 - Internal Response Matters: Trauma isn't the event - it's your body's five-step sequence during overwhelm [19:01] Insight #2 - The Critical Line: Your invisible boundary between experiences that grow you versus break you [21:23] Insight #3 - Cellular Trauma Reality: How mitochondria literally change shape and function during overwhelm [23:51] Insight #4 - Essential Sequence: Safety, support, then expansion - why most people skip the crucial first step [26:54] Insight #5 - Biology as Healing Ally: How the same systems holding trauma become your greatest recovery resource   Main Takeaways: Trauma Becomes Biology: Adverse experiences create measurable changes in cellular function, mitochondrial energy production, and nervous system regulation that can manifest decades later Cell Danger Response: When overwhelm crosses a critical threshold, mitochondria physically change shape and switch to survival energy systems, creating chronic symptoms Universal Trauma Response Pattern: All overwhelming experiences follow the same five-step sequence - startle, stress, powerlessness, freeze, shutdown - regardless of the trigger Biological Markers Matter: Heart rate variability, mitochondrial function, and inflammatory markers provide objective evidence of trauma's cellular impact Critical Line of Overwhelm: Everyone has an invisible threshold between experiences that grow us versus break us, which shifts daily based on current capacity Essential Sequence for Healing: Recovery requires three phases - safety, support, then expansion - with most approaches failing by skipping biological safety first Integration is Required: Trauma affects mind, body, and biology simultaneously, requiring coordinated intervention across all levels for lasting change Personalized Repair Approach: Effective healing identifies individual biological blocks rather than applying generic protocols to complex trauma presentations Cellular Recovery is Possible: The same mitochondria that hold trauma patterns can restore optimal function when given proper conditions and support   Notable Quotes "I wrote it really for the person who I used to be. I used to be the person who, despite all of my education, despite even being a very, I would say, high performing person, I didn't realize how much trauma my body was holding and I didn't realize it until I got very sick." "Your cells experience trauma too. You can't therapy or supplement your way out when your cells and body systems are stuck in survival mode." "Your mitochondria literally change shape, becoming round and rigid instead of long and flexible, and they switch to a backup energy system that produces less energy but can function under threat." "When you cross that critical line of overwhelm, your cells engage their own emergency break called the cell danger response. Just like your nervous system shuts down for protection, your cellular powerhouses, your mitochondria shift from efficient energy production to barely surviving." "Most people skip the safety phase though and jump straight into deep processing, and this often retraumatizes them." "Your symptoms are messengers, your reactions are information, and your healing journey becomes a collaboration with the incredible wisdom your body has been holding all along." "It gives me a language to explain myself, my trauma, and my experience to others." - Early Reader   Episode Takeaway The Biology of Trauma book reveals how adverse experiences rewire cellular function through the cell danger response, causing mitochondria to shift into survival mode and creating chronic health problems years later. Understanding trauma's biological reality at the cellular level provides both validation for mysterious symptoms and specific repair tools. When mitochondria are stuck in survival mode, psychological interventions alone cannot restore optimal cellular function - healing requires addressing biological dysfunction through targeted mitochondrial support, reducing cellular inflammation, and following the essential sequence of safety, support, and expansion at the cellular level. This integrated approach bridges the gap between understanding trauma's impact and having actionable tools to address it, offering hope for those whose symptoms have resisted conventional treatment by targeting the root biological mechanisms where trauma actually lives.   Resources Related To This Episode Resources/Guides: The Biology of Trauma book - Available now everywhere books are sold. Get your copy Related Episodes: Episode 122: Shutdown Before Stress: The Misstep in Trauma Healing That Often Gets Missed Episode 129: Why You're Still in Survival Mode (Even After Years of Therapy and Healing Work) Related YouTube videos: Why Your Body Is Wired for Danger: Understanding Trauma's Impact on Your Nervous System Mitochondria's Role in Trauma Work with Gabor Maté  Your host: Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, revolutionizes trauma healing by revealing how our cells—not just our minds—store trauma. Her book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she developed an integrative science-based sequence for the healing journey. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, proving that repairing trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology is possible.   Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. 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!  

What if healing from trauma wasn't just about your nervous system, but also your immune system? What if science could show us that your body is capable of renewal—faster than you think? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Bland, founder of the Institute for Functional Medicine and one of the leading voices in integrative health. Together, they discuss why trauma isn't just psychological—it's biological, affecting the nervous, immune, and metabolic systems in ways that can keep people stuck in cycles of fatigue, pain, and emotional struggle. Dr. Bland shares groundbreaking research on immune rejuvenation, including how certain ancient foods like tart buckwheat can reverse signs of immune aging in as little as 90 days. Paired with Dr. Aimie's insights on trauma biology, this conversation offers hope that no matter your past, your biology is not a life sentence. In this episode you'll hear more about: Why trauma acts like a "dimmer switch" on joy and vitality The powerful crosstalk between the immune and nervous systems How trauma biology accelerates immune system aging—and how to reverse it Clinical trial results showing a 47% reduction in immune age in 90 days Why the immune system renews every 90–120 days and what that means for healing The three pillars of immune rejuvenation: polyphenols, microbiome integrity, and Omega-3s Why trauma healing is about applying the right tools at the right leverage points Trauma doesn't just live in your past—it can live in your cells. But the science shows us that your immune system and nervous system can both be renewed. This episode is a reminder that healing is possible, and your body knows the way forward. 🎧 Want the deeper dive? This conversation builds on the foundational concepts from Episode 139: Breaking the Body Trauma Loop: Why Healing Takes More Than Willpower (And How to Actually Transform) where Dr. Aimie explores why trauma healing requires biological repair, not just mindset shifts.

Traditional healing approaches often focus on managing symptoms or returning to who you were before. But what if healing could take you beyond recovery to discovering capacities you never knew you had? What if your patterns of responding to stress  getting stronger over time isn't a sign of failure, but your nervous system following predictable patterns that can be redirected? In this episode, I share excerpts from my book, The Biology of Trauma. I share a section from Chapter 8 on the "Body trauma loop" - explaining how the body holds on to trauma from our past.  More importantly, we discover how the same neuroplasticity that automated these survival patterns can create new ones - through specific neuroscience principles.    Key Topics & Timestamps: [04:31] The Body Trauma Loop: Understanding why incomplete trauma responses compound over time like collecting rocks while hiking [06:56] Danger-Colored Glasses: How neuroception gets programmed to see threats everywhere, even in safety [09:03] Neuroplasticity and Trauma: Why "neurons that fire together, wire together" applies to both harmful and healing patterns [10:56] Book Community Insights: Early readers share experiences with the first three chapters - difficulty putting it down, compelling writing style, and wishing they had this resource decades ago [14:21] Consistency Over Intensity: The key principle for rewiring neural pathways and creating lasting change [19:02] The Seabiscuit Story: Finding hope in the journey from broken to magnificent [21:27] True Expansion: Moving beyond healing symptoms to discovering who you can become [25:41] From Healing to Living: The shift from "what needs fixing" to "how can I be more alive" [29:35] Community Transformations: Real stories of cellular-level changes and newfound aliveness [34:32] Four-Year Journey Wisdom: Taking healing one step at a time and trusting the process [36:47] Reader Feedback: Deeper understanding even after taking multiple courses   Main Takeaways: The Body Trauma Loop: Incomplete trauma responses compound over time, making reactions stronger through accumulated cellular danger and nervous system dysregulation Neuroplasticity Works Both Ways: The same mechanism that automates trauma patterns can create healing patterns through consistent daily practices Consistency Changes Everything: Small daily actions rewire neural pathways more effectively than big one-time efforts - it's about what you can do today that you can also do tomorrow Danger-Colored Glasses: Neuroception can get stuck viewing everything as a threat, even normal cues of safety, keeping you trapped in activation or overwhelm True Expansion Has No End: Healing is like a spiral staircase where each step takes you higher and deeper, with no limit to how far you can go Safety Must Come First: Your nervous system needs felt safety before it can release stored trauma - forcing expansion crushes growth From Fixing to Living: The ultimate shift is from asking "what's wrong with me?" to "how can I be more alive?"   Notable Quotes "Whatever is repeated will be habituated to save us energy from having to think about how to do the same process in the future." "Small hinges move big doors. The small choices made consistently change the big doors in our life." "How can I be more alive? How can I be more present? As we identify what is holding us back from being more alive in the ways we want, we discover the next layer of the spiral staircase." "I believe not only that trauma is curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening, a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation." - Peter Levine   Episode Takeaway The healing journey doesn't have to be a lifelong struggle. When you understand that trauma responses are automated through neuroplasticity - the same process that helps you learn to drive or brush your teeth - you can harness this same mechanism for healing.  The key is consistency over intensity, following the right sequence of safety-support-expansion, and recognizing that your body has an innate capacity to heal when given the proper conditions and understanding.  True expansion moves beyond just pushing through or managing symptoms to discovering who you can become when no longer held back by the past.   Resources Related To This Episode Resources/Guides: Biology of Trauma book - Bonuses are available with Pre-order only. Go Deeper With Dr. Aimie with The Biology of Trauma Book (available only until September 22nd): Guided Seeker: Get the Workbook + Mastercourse to go with the book - walking you through each chapter's key concepts Accelerated Implementer: Everything above + live half-day online group intensive with Dr. Aimie for implementation support Fast Track Professional: Everything above + one full day in-person with Dr. Aimie at her home to identify your biggest personal block to your next level of healing and regulation as a professional and guide for others  Foundational Journey - If you want to be guided through The Essential Sequence laid out in the Roadmap 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 one's biology and health symptoms the fastest. Related Episodes: Episode 135: The Hidden Difference Between Stress and Trauma In How The Body Keeps Score  Episode 134: The Biology of Overwhelm: Why Small Demands Feel Impossible  Related YouTube Episode: Why You're Still in Survival Mode (Even After Years of Therapy and Healing Work) | Dr. Aimie Apigian   About Dr. Aimie Apigian Dr. Aimie Apigian is a double board-certified physician in preventive and addiction medicine who bridges the gap between Western medicine and somatic healing practices. After her own health crisis in 2014 while in medical residency, she discovered how stored trauma was affecting her biology. She has since dedicated her career to helping others understand and heal the biological impacts of trauma through her courses, clinical practice, and her new book "The Biology of Trauma."   Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. 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!

Why does trauma therapy sometimes make you feel worse physically? What if the key to healing isn't just changing your mindset, but understanding your cellular capacity for stress? When you dive into trauma work without addressing your biology first, you might be opening Pandora's box in ways that overwhelm your body's ability to cope. Dr. Aimie Apigian discovered this the hard way - developing multiple health conditions including autoimmunity and chronic fatigue while doing "cutting-edge" trauma therapy. Her physical reactions to emotional healing led to a groundbreaking understanding: trauma isn't just stored in your mind, it's living in your cells, and your body has a limited capacity for processing stress. In this illuminating conversation with Dr. Tom O'Bryan, Dr. Aimie reveals why the popular focus on mindset and "being stronger" actually sabotages healing. She breaks down the three biological survival mechanisms that keep trauma locked in your body and explains why addressing toxic burden is essential for emotional recovery. You'll hear more on: Why trauma therapy can trigger physical flare-ups including gut issues, chronic fatigue, and autoimmune symptoms The critical difference between emotional capacity and physical homeostatic capacity for healing How cellular capacity - not mindset - determines how much stress you can handle without breaking The three survival mechanisms your body uses during trauma: dissociation, immobilization, and energy conservation Why you crave specific foods like bread and sweets after emotional breakthroughs (and the biology behind it) How gluten affects your brain through opiate receptors and hypoperfusion, creating a "dumbed down" state The connection between trauma burden and toxic burden - why they're the same at the cellular level Dr. Tom's four-quadrant approach to chronic conditions: structure, biochemistry, emotional/spiritual, and electromagnetic Why all chronic health conditions are related to trauma biology, according to adverse childhood experiences research How to recognize if your body is holding trauma through specific biological patterns The "emergency brake" effect: why comprehensive medical care fails when trauma biology isn't addressed How to approach trauma healing while staying within your capacity and building resilience safely Whether you've experienced physical reactions during emotional healing work, struggle with chronic health conditions that don't respond to treatment, or are supporting someone through trauma recovery, this episode reveals why befriending your body and honoring your biological limits is essential for lasting transformation. Dr. Aimie's groundbreaking approach, validated by Dr. Tom's decades of clinical experience shows us that healing trauma isn't about pushing through or being stronger - it's about creating safety at the cellular level so your body can finally let go of what it's been holding to protect you. 🎧 Want the deeper dive? This conversation builds on the foundational concepts from Episode 138: "The Biology of Trauma: Why Your Body Holds On When Your Mind Has Healed with Dr. Aimie Apigian" where Dr. Aimie explore the cellular mechanisms of trauma storage and the critical importance of understanding your biological capacity for healing.

In this special reverse interview episode, my friend and colleague Steven Wright from Healthy Gut interviews me about the core concepts from my upcoming book, The Biology of Trauma. Steven understands the somatic work, the parts work, the biology, the capacity, and the overwhelm from his own healing journey, making this conversation uniquely insightful. I share stories I haven't told anywhere else - including my keto diet disaster during surgery residency that became my first clue about the biology of trauma. We explore why I rewrote this book seven times, how I discovered I had all three major biochemical imbalances, and the painful decision to place my adopted son Miguel in a different home - the grief that ultimately led to my autoimmune diagnosis and this entire body of work. Key Topics & Timestamps [00:00] The Eight Drafts of the book: Dr. Aimie's journey as an author [04:12] Beyond ACEs Scores: Why we can become obsessed with our score  [08:36] Capacity is Everything: Understanding your nervous system's dynamic capacity  [13:47] The Biology Block: How Dr. Aimie discovered her own biology was sabotaging her trauma healing [21:55] The Pain Equation: When humans decide to change  [25:44] Perception vs. Reality: How we create mountains from molehills  [28:19] The Healing Timeline: Why trauma work doesn't have to be a lifelong journey [34:04] Safety First: The critical sequence for healing trauma without retraumatization [37:18] Stress vs. Trauma: The crucial distinction that changes everything [38:18] Miguel's Story: The heartbreaking adoption journey that changed Dr. Aimie Main Takeaways The Three-Legged Stool: True trauma healing requires addressing psychological, emotional, AND biological aspects simultaneously Biology Keeps You Stuck: Inflammation, oxidative stress, and biochemical imbalances create internal danger signals that perpetuate trauma responses Capacity Changes Moment to Moment: Your nervous system's capacity is dynamic and requires constant awareness, not just daily check-ins Perception Creates Your Reality: Your body responds to your perception of danger, not actual danger - making that molehill into a mountain The Right Sequence Matters: Creating safety must come before attempting to process trauma, or symptoms worsen Fast Healing is Possible: When addressing all three domains properly, healing happens faster than medication with only positive "side effects" Notable Quotes "If something makes you sick, that is not stress. Let's call it for what it is. That is your body having gone into a trauma response." "Our capacity is not being measured up against our reality, it's being measured up against our perceptions." "The pain of staying the same has to become so bad that we're willing to undergo the pain of change." "If their body had already felt safe, it would have already opened up all of this stuff and let all of these emotions and trauma go. It hasn't felt safe." Episode Takeaway Trauma healing doesn't have to be a lifelong journey. By understanding that trauma lives in your biology - not just your mind - and following the proper sequence of safety, support, then expansion, you can heal faster than traditional approaches suggest. The key is addressing all three aspects: psychological, emotional, and biological, rather than focusing on just one. Resources Related To This Episode Resources/Guides: Biology of Trauma book - Bonuses are available when you Pre-order now. Go Deeper With Dr. Aimie with The Biology of Trauma Book (available only until September 22nd): Guided Seeker: Get the Workbook + Mastercourse to go with the book - walking you through each chapter's key concepts Accelerated Implementer: Everything above + live half-day online group intensive with Dr. Aimie for implementation support Fast Track Professional: Everything above + one full day in-person with Dr. Aimie at her home to identify your biggest personal block to your next level of healing and regulation as a professional and guide for others  Foundational Journey - If you want to be guided through The Essential Sequence laid out in the Roadmap 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 one's biology and health symptoms the fastest. Steven Wright - Healthy Gut - Learn more about Steven's gut-brain support products: HoloZyme™ digestive enzymes with dual-strain activation technology, Tributyrin-X™ for microbiome diversity and gut lining health, and HCL Guard™ for protein digestion support Related Episode: Episode 122: Shutdown Before Stress: The Misstep in Trauma Healing That Often Gets Missed Related YouTube Video: Shutdown Before Stress: The Misstep in Trauma Healing That Often Gets Missed | Dr. Aimie Apigian About Dr. Aimie Apigian Dr. Aimie Apigian is a double board-certified physician in preventive and addiction medicine who bridges the gap between Western medicine and somatic healing practices. After her own health crisis in 2014 while in medical residency, she discovered how stored trauma was affecting her biology. She has since dedicated her career to helping others understand and heal the biological impacts of trauma through her courses, clinical practice, and her new book "The Biology of Trauma."   Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. 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!

Why do so many people suddenly start losing weight when they finally escape a toxic relationship or environment? What if your body's stubborn weight isn't about willpower, metabolism, or even food - but about stored trauma keeping you in survival mode? When you're trapped in toxic relationships or environments, your body operates from what I call chronic functional freeze. This isn't just emotional - it's a complete biological shutdown that affects everything from your thyroid function to your detoxification pathways. Your metabolism hibernates, toxins accumulate, and your body holds onto weight as a survival strategy. In this Biology Behind It mini episode, I answer practitioner Zay's excellent question about why clients lose weight effortlessly after leaving toxic situations, even without doing deep healing work yet. I break down the hidden biology keeping you stuck and why your nervous system won't let go of excess weight until it feels truly safe. You'll hear more on: Why avoiding feelings creates a biology of energy conservation and metabolic shutdown How chronic functional freeze affects your thyroid hormones - including reverse T3 that doctors rarely test The connection between stored trauma and toxin accumulation that makes weight loss impossible Why detoxification pathways shut down when your nervous system is in survival mode How toxic relationships create the same biological effects as physical toxins Why your inner operating state drives all your body systems - not individual organ problems How creating inner safety naturally eliminates coping mechanisms like emotional eating The integrated approach to clearing both emotional and physical toxins safely Whether you've struggled with stubborn weight that won't budge despite your efforts, or you're supporting someone who's finally ready to leave a toxic situation, this episode reveals why your body refuses to let go until your nervous system feels safe. I give you hope that when you address the real root - stored trauma - your body naturally returns to health. 🎧 Want the full story? Listen to Episode 137: "Does Somatic Healing Work: How Mind-Body Healing Can Change 30 Years of Chronic Illness In 6 Weeks" for Keisha's complete transformation story and the science behind rapid healing.

Many people struggle with chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, and exhaustion that no amount of sleep seems to cure. They've tried medications, supplements, therapy, and self-care practices, yet still find themselves needing daily naps just to function. They can't understand why their body seems to be working against them instead of healing, or why they feel so disconnected from the energy they once had. In this episode, you'll meet Kecia, whose story reveals what's possible when we finally address trauma where it lives - in the nervous system. After 30 years on medical disability and needing daily three-hour naps just to survive, Kecia was sleeping 16-18 hours daily and housebound for years. By age 25, autoimmune illness had taken her career as a respiratory therapist, her ability to hike, even basic tasks. After completing the Foundational Journey, something happened that might sound impossible - she went seven weeks without needing a single nap for the first time in decades. Her husband said she became "like the person I knew 30 years ago." This isn't about willpower or positive thinking. It's about understanding how unresolved attachment wounds show up as physical symptoms decades later, and why trauma healing requires addressing the nervous system directly. You'll hear more on: [3:30] Why Kecia never expected to live past 18 and how autoimmune disease changed everything for her by age 25 [8:00] The struggle to get medical validation and how one doctor's compassion literally changed her physiology [14:00] The shift that seemed impossible - seven weeks without daily naps after 30 years of needing them [16:00] What's actually happening in your body during chronic freeze and why extreme sleep needs make biological sense [19:00] How coming out of freeze brought back joy, energy, and the ability to experience life fully again [25:00] Why being praised for "resilience" can actually create stored trauma patterns in your body [29:00] Dr. Aimie's guidance on capacity management and energy investment for sustainable healing Whether you're personally dealing with chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions that doctors can't fully explain, or you're a practitioner supporting clients with unexplained physical symptoms, this episode shows how addressing trauma at the nervous system level can create changes that seem impossible when we've been stuck for so long. Helpful Links Related To This Episode Resources/Guides: Biology of Trauma book - how the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm, and how to heal. Pre-order now and, at the time of this recording, you'll get over $400 in bonuses included! Those bonuses are only for the pre-order window which goes until Sept 22, 2025. Book Bundles (available only until September 22nd) - Go deeper with exclusive bundles that include the book plus additional support: Guided Seeker Bundle: Book + workbook + master course walking you through each chapter's key concepts Accelerated Implementer Bundle: Everything above + live half-day online group intensive with Dr. Aimie for implementation support Fast Track Practitioner Bundle: Everything above + one full day in-person with Dr. Aimie at her home to identify your personal blocks and create your customized 30-day healing plan Foundational Journey - If you want to be guided through The Essential Sequence laid out in the Roadmap 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 one's biology and health symptoms the fastest. Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 71: Understanding the Trauma Connection Between Attachment, Autoimmunity, and Fatigue Episode 133: Autoimmunity and Childhood Trauma: How Your Immune System Reflects Your Past Related Youtube Videos: Childhood Freeze & Autoimmunity: Insights with Keesha Ewers | Dr. Aimie Apigian Prevent Autoimmunity: Trauma, Toxins & Diet Steps | Dr. Aimie Apigian   Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. 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!