Podcast Summary
Memory and Nervous System: Our past experiences and memories shape our present nervous system function and behavior, influencing how we perceive safety and reality, and are stored not just in the brain but also somatically in the body.
Our past experiences and memories significantly impact our present nervous system function and behavior, shaping how we perceive safety and reality. Trauma, which is a patterned reaction to past experiences, lives in the present but is rooted in the past. Memories are stored not just in the brain, but also somatically in the body and nervous system, influencing our emotional and physiological experiences. Our brain, which functions based on prediction, is shaped by our past experiences and filters information accordingly. Understanding the connection between memory, trauma, and the nervous system is crucial for mental and physical health, and is a vast and multidimensional topic that we will explore further in this season of Trauma Rewired.
Hippocampus role in memory: The hippocampus is a key player in memory formation, acting as a transfer center for short-term memories to the neocortex for long-term storage, while also being connected to structures involved in emotions and memory processing.
Memory is not a single entity but rather a complex process involving different types and storage locations in the brain. The hippocampus, a seahorse-shaped structure deep in the brain, is a key player in memory formation, particularly for explicit memories like episodic and semantic memories. However, the hippocampus does not store long-term memories itself but instead acts as a transfer center, moving short-term memories to the neocortex for long-term storage. The hippocampus is also connected to other structures in the brain, such as the limbic system, amygdala, and thalamus, which play a role in emotions and memory processing. Traumatic memories, which are largely implicit and nonverbal, are stored differently and can be evoked by situational cues. These memories can limit hippocampal function due to cortisol production, leading to impaired explicit memory processing and enhanced implicit processing.
Brain's role in trauma memories: Trauma memories involve emotional processing and physical sensations, with the inferior hippocampus becoming more active while the superior hippocampus shuts down, leading to intense and vivid emotional memories that may overshadow factual details.
Trauma memories are complex and can involve both explicit and implicit processing. Explicit memories, which involve facts and figures, may be less accessible when the brain is in a threat response or limbic escape. Instead, emotional memories and physical sensations become more prominent. This can lead to flashbacks, compulsive behaviors, and a strong focus on emotions rather than facts. The hippocampus, a key brain structure for memory, has two parts: the superior hippocampus, which deals with declarative memories, and the inferior hippocampus, which deals with emotional memories. When we're in a threat response, the inferior hippocampus becomes more active, while the superior hippocampus shuts down. This can result in strong emotional memories that feel intense and vivid, even if the facts of the situation are hazy or forgotten. Understanding this complex interplay between emotions, memory, and brain function can help us make sense of our own experiences and the memories that shape them.
Trauma and memory: Trauma can disrupt memory, leading to forgetting or distorted recall, as our brains prioritize attachment bonds and preserving control, shaping beliefs and cognitive biases.
Our relationship with our bodies and memories is complex and deeply influenced by trauma. During our development, our brains may prioritize forgetting traumatic experiences to preserve attachment bonds to caregivers, a phenomenon known as betrayal blindness. This disruption in memory can also occur in adult relationships to maintain a sense of control and avoid acknowledging overwhelming events. Our brains process vast amounts of information every second, and memories shape our beliefs and cognitive biases, which in turn influence our behavior. It's essential to understand the impact of trauma on memory and acknowledge the importance of healing our relationship with our bodies and past experiences.
Brain Processing: Our brains filter and categorize information, leading to implicit biases and reactions based on past experiences and emotions, with the limbic system, hippocampus, and amygdala playing key roles.
Our brains process vast amounts of information, but only a small fraction makes it to our conscious awareness. Our brains categorize and associate information for efficient functioning, leading to reactions and implicit biases based on past experiences and emotions. The limbic system, including the amygdala and mesolimbic pathway, plays a crucial role in fear and reward responses, determining which information reaches conscious awareness. The hippocampus helps us quickly decide the meaning of new information based on past experiences, and memories are emotional, physical, and cognitive neurotags that reactivate when recalled. This complex interplay of systems shapes our perceptions, relationships, and behaviors, often faster than we can consciously process.
Neurobiology of Memory and Trauma: Memory is a complex process influenced by various brain areas and past experiences. Trauma can affect memory recall and increase threat load, requiring a multifaceted approach to healing, including somatic regulation and cognitive work.
Memory is a complex neurobiological process involving various parts of the brain, including auditory processing, movement centers, and visual processing. Trauma or processing deficics in any of these areas can affect how we recall memories and increase the threat load when they are recalled. This internal neurotag, formed by neurons that fire together, can ignite a cascade of other neurotags, leading to a whole reaction. If we don't process past trauma with new tools for regulation and somatic discharge, we can get stuck in an emotional flashback or prolonged stress response. Our emotional landscape prior to cognitive work also impacts memory recall, with positive memories encoded in the superior portion of the hippocampus and negative experiences in the bottom portion. To effectively tackle trauma, we need to approach healing in a multifaceted way, beyond just cognitive behavioral therapy or talking about past experiences without the ability to process them effectively.
Emotional Regulation and Memory Processing: Regulating emotions and activating the frontal lobe before memory work can lead to a more positive experience. Negative emotions can hinder the enjoyment of positive memories.
Our emotional state significantly impacts how we recall and process memories. Activating the frontal lobe through tools for nervous system regulation before working through memories can lead to a different experience. Conversely, being in a negative emotional state can make recalling positive memories less enjoyable. For therapists, coaches, and practitioners, helping clients regulate their emotions and activate their frontal lobes before delving into belief work, cognitive processing, or trauma processing can lead to more positive experiences. Additionally, recognizing the concept of limbic escape, where the brain triggers a fight or flight response during intense stress or threat, can provide insight into the importance of emotional regulation for effective processing and communication.
Impact of past trauma on present-day relationships: Past trauma, whether remembered or repressed, significantly influences our present-day emotions, relationships, and physical responses, and somatic memory, or the memory stored in our bodies, can drive our behavior and reactions.
Trauma from the past, whether remembered or repressed, significantly impacts our present-day relationships, emotions, and physical responses. Our social context, power dynamics, and neurological factors play a role in the encoding and retrieval of memories, and what we remember or disclose can be influenced by these factors. Somatic memory, or the memory stored in our bodies, can drive our behavior and reactions, even if we're not consciously aware of the traumatic events that caused them. The neurology of memory is complex, and the topic of somatic memory and cellular memory will be explored further in the second part of this episode.
Nervous system patterning: Our past experiences shape our present through the way our nervous systems are wired, with stories of healing and breakthroughs illustrating this concept. Remember, this podcast is informational only and not medical advice, and sensitive topics are discussed.
Our past experiences shape our present through the patterning of our nervous systems. Through this podcast, we've shared stories of healing and breakthroughs, both within ourselves and our community. Stay tuned for part two as we delve deeper into this concept. However, it's important to note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or psychological advice. We discuss sensitive topics related to complex trauma, which may be unsettling for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and is in immediate danger in the United States, please call 911. For specific mental health services, please refer to the full disclaimer in the show notes.