Podcast Summary
Somatic Memory: Our bodies hold onto experiences before they're encoded into our brains as traditional memories, impacting trauma healing and self-awareness.
Our bodies have the ability to remember experiences before they are encoded into our brains as traditional memories. This concept is known as somatic memory. Our nervous systems record all experiences, and even if our brains do not allow us to consciously recall these memories, our bodies still hold onto them. This understanding of somatic memory can be particularly impactful for individuals who have experienced trauma, as developing a deeper trust and connection with the body can lead to powerful healing experiences. Somatic memory is often overlooked in discussions about memory, as our visual system and the resulting memories it creates are often prioritized. However, relying on and trusting the feelings and sensations coming from our bodies can be challenging for those who have dissociated or have been conditioned to suppress emotions. Embracing somatic memory and the experiences it holds can lead to a greater sense of self-awareness and overall healing.
Body-Emotion Connection: Preparing the body-emotion connection is crucial for safe and effective psychedelic experiences. Developing interoceptive skills and trusting our bodies and emotions aids in processing and integrating somatic memories, allowing for long-term healing and benefits.
Our emotional and physical safety are priority for our brain, and suppressing or repressing emotions and sensations can be detrimental to our wellbeing. During psychedelic experiences, it's crucial to prepare the nervous system and develop interoceptive skills to safely process and integrate somatic memories, which are structurally different from short-term memories. Our hippocampus cannot form enduring memories until around age four, and short-term memories are erased when neurons no longer communicate due to a limited supply of proteins. Activating dormant genes in neurons creates long-term memories, allowing neurons to communicate and retain information. Therefore, it's essential to develop a trusting relationship with our bodies and emotions to fully heal and benefit from psychedelic experiences. Preparation and integration are both crucial aspects of working with psychedelics.
Body memories: Experiences, even unconscious ones, can impact the body through hormonal responses and muscle tension, shaping our health and response to stress
Our experiences, even those we cannot recall through cognitive memory, can still impact us deeply and have lasting effects on our bodies. Memories are not just stored in the mind but also in the body through hormonal responses and muscle tension. For instance, stressful experiences can activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the production of adrenaline, cortisol, and other hormones, which in turn can cause muscle tension, decreased range of motion, and even disease. Moreover, early childhood experiences, particularly those that are traumatic, can shape our HPA axis, affecting how our body responds to stress throughout our lives. The speaker's personal experience highlights the importance of trusting and validating somatic memories, which can lead to healing and relaxation. It's crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and soul and to prioritize healing the dissociation between them.
Childhood experiences and brain development: Childhood experiences can significantly impact brain development and lead to long-term health consequences, including anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, inflammation, and other health issues. Our nervous systems are neuroplastic, meaning we can learn to change these patterns through intentional training and practices like Neurosequential Interventions.
Our experiences, particularly during childhood, can significantly shape our nervous system and brain development, leading to long-term health consequences. The activation of the HPA axis in response to stress can result in excessive cortisol production and decreased opioid activity, which can contribute to anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, inflammation, and other health issues. These patterns can persist throughout our lives if we remain in chronic stress states. However, it's important to note that our nervous systems are neuroplastic, meaning we can learn to change these patterns through intentional training and working with our nervous system to create regulation and safety. By understanding the connection between our experiences and our nervous system, we can take steps to improve our mental and physical health and create new, healthier patterns. This is why practices like Neurosequential Interventions (NSI) are so vital - they provide a framework for teaching our nervous systems new ways to process and respond to the world. Ultimately, we have the agency to rewire our nervous systems and create the safety and health outcomes we desire.
Cellular health and memory: Cellular health is crucial for overall health and memory, and trauma can negatively impact it through the mitochondria, which produce ATP, while neuropeptides and emotions also play a role in cell function and memory storage.
Our overall health, including long-term health and memory, is deeply connected to cellular health. Cells, the fundamental units of life, are responsible for making up all living organisms, and there are approximately 200 different types of cells in the human body. They work together to maintain our health and functioning. Trauma can negatively impact cellular health, particularly through the mitochondria, which produce ATP, the primary energy currency of the body. Inefficient ATP production can lead to metabolic dysregulation and a host of health issues. Neuropeptides, the secret messengers of the body's communication system, also play a role in cell function and can be influenced by emotions. Additionally, new research suggests that cells throughout the body, not just in the brain, have the capacity to store and retain information, challenging the conventional view of memory. Emotions and memories can affect cellular function at a deep level, and our gut health will be explored further in relation to this concept.
Water memory and cellular learning: Water, as a significant component of our bodies, may hold memories and impact cellular behavior, contributing to our ability to remember experiences and learn
Our cells, even single-celled organisms, have the ability to remember experiences and learn, which impacts their function and interaction with one another. This memory is not cognitive but rather drives cellular behavior. Furthermore, as humans are composed of approximately 70% water, it's suggested that water holds memory, and our bodies may store experiences in the water within our tissues and muscles. This concept is still being explored, but the idea that water holds memory and we are predominantly made of water may explain how our bodies store and process traumatic memories. This connection between water, cells, and memory is a fascinating area of research, and for those interested, I recommend checking out the book "The Fourth State of Water" and following Veda Austin on Instagram for more information.
Intergenerational Trauma and Epigenetics: Trauma can be inherited through epigenetic changes, impacting gene expression and potentially predisposing descendants to certain health conditions and behavioral patterns
Generational trauma can be transmitted from one generation to the next through epigenetic changes, which can impact behavior, mental health, and physical health. Trauma experienced by one generation can lead to epigenetic modifications that are inherited, influencing gene expression and potentially predisposing descendants to certain health conditions and behavioral patterns. This intergenerational trauma can be passed down through learned behaviors, dysfunctional family dynamics, and communicating patterns. Healing from generational trauma involves repatterning and can have a ripple effect on subsequent generations, as well as potentially affecting earlier generations. This work is important for individual and collective growth, promoting agency, sovereignty, and full self-expression. Understanding the impact of epigenetics on generational trauma provides a biological framework for understanding how trauma is transmitted and how healing can make a difference for future generations.
Neuroplasticity and personal growth: Neuroplasticity enables personal growth and healing through consistent practice, working with resonating practitioners and modalities, and taking care of the nervous system. Anyone can heal and grow with the right support.
Personal growth and healing, whether through psychedelic experiences or other methods, require consistent practice and effort. Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to rewire, plays a crucial role in this process. It's essential to work with practitioners and modalities that resonate with you, and taking care of your nervous system is key. There's a wealth of resources available, including those listed on the Neurosmatic Intelligence website. Remember, anyone can heal and grow, and it's important to allow yourself to be witnessed and held during this journey. This conversation highlighted the importance of working with the frontal lobe and the value of various healing practices. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you're in the US and experiencing mental health emergencies, call 911. For mental health resources, refer to the full disclaimer in the show notes.