The Biology of Trauma: How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, and Overwhelm, and How to Heal It
Update: 2025-09-27
Description
Dr. Amy Apigian on the fascinating and often overlooked—biology of trauma.
- [00:00 ] Introduction and shared connection around trauma, resilience, and Armenian heritage.
 - [05:00 ] Story of becoming a foster parent during medical training and first encounter with childhood trauma.
 - [15:00 ] Struggles of supporting traumatized children without adequate tools or professional guidance.
 - [25:00 ] Personal health breakdown leading to chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, and a deeper look into trauma biology.
 - [35:00 ] Discovery that therapy alone wasn't enough — biology and physiology also play key roles in trauma.
 - [45:00 ] Explanation of stress at the cellular level, mitochondria changes, and the "cell danger response."
 - [55:00 ] Distinction between stress, overwhelm, trauma, and how burnout develops.
 - [01:05:00 ] How trauma is stored in memory and physiology, with a personal story illustrating hidden trauma.
 - [01:20:00 ] Exploration of chronic pain, sleep issues, IBS, and how they relate to a dysregulated nervous system.
 - [01:35:00 ] Survival mode shuts down detoxification and accumulates toxins over years, leading to illness.
 - [01:45:00 ] Why nervous system regulation is the essential first step in healing — but not the full solution.
 - [01:55:00 ] Introduction of cellular repair to address oxidative stress, DNA damage, and generational trauma.
 - [02:10:00 ] A holistic framework for healing: mind, body, and biology working together ("small hinges move big doors").
 - [02:25:00 ] Guidance on where to start: choosing manageable steps that build momentum and confidence.
 - [02:35:00 ] Closing reflections on living more fully alive, plus resources, book, and social links.
 
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