How is trauma stored in the body?

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have serious and long-lasting effects on an individual's physical and mental health. When a person experiences trauma, it can be stored in their body in various ways, influencing both their physical and mental well-being. This process is known as "embodiment" and refers to how traumatic experiences are not just stored in the brain, but also in the body's tissues and cells. In this article, we will explore how trauma is stored in the body and how it can affect an individual's health and well-being.

How does our body respond to trauma?

According to the article "The body keeps the score: memory and the evolving psychobiology of posttraumatic stress," trauma is stored in the body in various ways. One way that trauma is stored in the body is through the activation of the stress response system. When a person experiences trauma, their body goes into "fight or flight" mode, releasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help the body to respond to the traumatic event by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels. However, if the stress response system is activated repeatedly or for an extended period of time, it can have negative effects on the body. Chronic activation of the stress response system has been linked to a number of health problems.

How does trauma changes our brains?

Another way that trauma is stored in the body is through changes in brain structure and function. When a person experiences trauma, it can alter the way their brain processes and responds to stress. For example, trauma has been shown to alter the function of the amygdala, a brain region that plays a key role in the processing of emotions and the regulation of the stress response. Research has also found that trauma can alter the structure and function of the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory and spatial navigation. These changes in brain structure and function can have a number of negative effects, including an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions.

How does stress affect our brain cells?

In addition to changes in brain structure and function, trauma can also be stored in the body through the creation of new neural pathways. When a person experiences trauma, their brain creates new neural pathways in order to process and respond to the traumatic event. These neural pathways can become ingrained and automatic, leading to the development of negative thought patterns and behaviors. For example, a person who has experienced trauma may develop negative beliefs about themselves or the world, or they may engage in self-destructive behaviors. These negative thought patterns and behaviors can have a profound impact on an individual's well-being and can be difficult to change.

Does trauma impact our genetics?

Trauma can also be stored in the body through changes in gene expression. When a person experiences trauma, it can alter the way their genes are expressed, influencing the functioning of their cells and tissues. Research has found that trauma can lead to changes in the expression of genes involved in the regulation of stress and the immune system, as well as genes involved in inflammation and cell death. These changes in gene expression can have a number of negative effects on the body, including an increased risk of developing physical and mental health problems.

In conclusion, trauma is stored in the body in various ways, including through the activation of the stress response system, changes in brain structure and function, the creation of new neural pathways, and changes in gene expression. These changes can have a significant impact on an individual's physical and mental health, and can be difficult to reverse. It is important for individuals who have experienced trauma to seek support and treatment in order to address the effects of trauma on their body and mind.

Hey Dreamer. Discover a world of focus and deep calm.

Download Wombat on App Store →

Related articles

• References

  Bessel van der Kolk, M. D. (2014). The body keeps the score: memory and the evolving psychobiology of posttraumatic stress. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 22(6), 425-444.

  Kessler, R. C., Sonnega, A., Bromet, E., Hughes, M., & Nelson, C. B. (1995). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry, 52(12), 1048-1060.

  McEwen, B. S., & Gianaros, P. J. (2011). Stress- and allostasis-induced brain plasticity. Annual Review of Medicine, 62, 431-445.

  Perry, B. D., Pollard, R. A., Blakley, T. L., Baker, W. L., & Vigilante, D. (1995). Childhood trauma, the neurobiology of adaptation, and "use-dependent" development of the brain: How "states" become "traits". Infant Mental Health Journal, 16(4), 271-291.

  Rothschild, B. (2000). The body remembers: The psychophysiology of trauma and trauma treatment. Norton Professional Books.

  Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why zebras don't get ulcers: An updated guide to stress, stress-related diseases, and coping (3rd ed.). Holt Paperbacks.

  Schore, A. N. (2003). Affect dysregulation and disorders of the self. Norton Professional Books.

  Shalev, A. Y. (2000). Posttraumatic stress disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 343(7), 682-688.

  van der Kolk, B. A., McFarlane, A. C., & Weisaeth, L. (1996). Traumatic stress: The effects of overwhelming experience on mind, body, and society. Guilford Press.

  Yehuda, R., & McFarlane, A. C. (1995). Cognitive development and posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8(4), 649-665

• Disclaimer

  This articles does not constitute medical or mental health advice. These practices are not for everyone and are not a substitute for ongoing healthcare from a medical or mental health professional.