In the quest for holistic health, the interconnectedness of mind and body has become increasingly apparent, especially in regard to the ongoing work of studies in quantum biology and physics. The works of Bruce Lipton and Joe Dispenza have dove into this topic for years as well as the likes of Bessel Van der Kolk and, my personal favorite, Gabor Mate. These amazing folks in this space and these topics have shed light on the extremely influential idea that "The Body Keeps the Score," which was popularized by Dr. Van der Kolk's groundbreaking book back in 2014. Science is slow, logic is fast. The Medical community has dropped the ball in these areas, sadly.
The medical community is still not fully recognizing this concept. And that is a very generous statement. My work the conventional medical space proved limiting due this, as I was often outcast by colleagues and went onto be singled out by management in many, many , MANY cases. I vividly recall the day I was pulled into the principals office and asked, with glasses pulled down to the nose of my superior as she asked with a snarky tone "Did you imply to a patient with severe hormone issues that her childhood trauma could be contributing to her disease? " I would go onto be pulled into that same office every time I suggested a patient with high stress, PTSD or trauma do natural modalities such as grounding, getting in sunlight or doing any type of somatic work to help their nervous system begin to come back online. That is a story for another day, I digress.
This concept of trapped emotions/stress/trauma highlights how traumatic experiences and chronic stress can manifest physically in the body, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In this blog post, we'll explore the relationship between trauma, the nervous system, and gut health, and how understanding this connection can inform strategies for promoting overall well-being.
Trauma's Impact on the Nervous System: Traumatic experiences can dysregulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which comprises the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches. Chronic stress or trauma can lead to persistent activation of the sympathetic "fight or flight" response or dysregulation of the parasympathetic "rest and digest" response. This dysregulation can affect various bodily functions, including digestion and gut motility.
The Gut-Brain Axis: The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network linking the gut and the central nervous system (CNS). This axis involves multiple pathways, including neural, hormonal, and immunological signaling. The vagus nerve, a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system, plays a crucial role in transmitting signals between the gut and the brain, influencing mood, cognition, and gut function.
Impact on Gut Health: Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system and alterations in the gut-brain axis can have profound effects on gut health. Chronic stress or trauma can disrupt digestive processes, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Additionally, stress-induced changes in gut microbiota composition and function can further exacerbate gut dysfunction and contribute to inflammation and immune dysregulation.
Healing Trauma for Gut Health: Recognizing the impact of trauma on the nervous system and gut health underscores the importance of trauma-informed approaches to healing. Therapeutic modalities such as trauma-focused therapy, mindfulness practices, yoga, and somatic experiencing can help regulate the nervous system, alleviate stress, and promote resilience. By addressing underlying trauma and restoring balance to the nervous system, individuals can support their gut health and overall well-being.
Lifestyle Strategies for Gut Health: In addition to trauma-informed interventions, lifestyle factors play a crucial role in supporting gut health. Strategies such as maintaining a balanced diet rich in fiber and probiotic foods, practicing stress management techniques, getting regular exercise, prioritizing sleep, and fostering social connections can all contribute to a healthy gut environment and enhance resilience to stress.
Dysregulation of the Stress Response: Traumatic experiences can dysregulate the body's stress response systems, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). This dysregulation can lead to persistent activation of the body's stress response, resulting in elevated levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Chronic exposure to high levels of stress hormones can promote inflammation throughout the body.
Immune Dysregulation: Trauma can also dysregulate the immune system, leading to heightened inflammatory responses. Chronic stress and trauma can suppress the immune system's ability to regulate inflammation, leading to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immune mediators. This chronic low-grade inflammation can contribute to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, autoimmune conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Altered Neuroendocrine Function: Trauma can alter the function of the neuroendocrine system, which plays a key role in regulating inflammation and immune responses. Dysregulation of the HPA axis, in particular, can lead to imbalances in cortisol production and sensitivity, which can affect immune function and inflammatory processes. Additionally, trauma-induced changes in neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin and dopamine, can influence immune regulation and contribute to inflammation.
Epigenetic Changes: Trauma can induce epigenetic changes, alterations in gene expression that are not caused by changes in the underlying DNA sequence but can be passed down to future generations. These epigenetic changes can influence inflammatory pathways and immune function, predisposing individuals to heightened inflammatory responses and increased susceptibility to inflammatory diseases later in life.
Lifestyle Factors: Trauma can also impact lifestyle factors that influence inflammation, such as diet, sleep, and exercise. Individuals who have experienced trauma may be more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor dietary choices, and sedentary lifestyle habits, which can contribute to inflammation and exacerbate the effects of trauma on health.
By understanding the interconnectedness of mind and body and adopting trauma-informed approaches to healing, individuals can support their health and overall well-being. Through a combination of therapeutic interventions, lifestyle strategies, and self-care practices, individuals can embark on a journey toward healing, resilience, and vitality. By not addressing the events of the past, or pushing down emotions or hard things that one has gone through, you rob yourself of engaging in pleasurable activities or fully participating in life. You begin to live life in grey rather than color. Additionally, unresolved trauma can contribute to the development of stress-related health conditions, further impacting mental well-being and overall quality of life. With appropriate interventions and support, individuals can reclaim their sense of joy, reconnect with positive emotions, and build fulfilling lives beyond the shadow of trauma. This is also one of the biggest steps in rebuilding your physical health if you have been struggling with chronic conditions, auto immune disease, gut issues, hormone imbalances, infertility....the list goes on.
Recognizing how the roll of emotional and physical health are interwoven into each other we being to truly understand how essential it is to address the the root causes of many of the imbalances in the body that lead to feeling unwell. Integrative approaches that combine trauma-informed therapies, stress management techniques, dietary modifications, and gut-supportive interventions can help individuals restore balance to the mind-body connection and support optimal gut health. I truly believe this conversation in alternative and integrative medicine is the biggest missing piece to someone feeling alittle bit better and fully healing and taking their life back.
Jacqueline Griffin MSN, RN, FNP-C, IHP-2
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