The Biology of Trauma® With Dr. Aimie

• Biology Behind It: Why the Mind & Body Can't Heal Without Oxytocin

  Why is it that sometimes the things that are supposed to help us feel calm actually make us feel more anxious instead? In this mini-episode, Dr. Aimie explores why this happens, expanding on her conversation with Dr. Sue Carter from Episode 125. She answers therapist Sarah's question about why some people struggle with relaxation techniques and reveals the surprising science behind it. You'll hear more on: Why oxytocin is called "nature's fire extinguisher" and how it helps you heal How oxytocin and vasopressin work together (not against each other!) Why past difficult experiences can make your body think "quiet time" is dangerous How your brain's control center decides if you're safe or not Simple ways to feel safer in your body before trying relaxation techniques If you're a practitioner working with clients who struggle with calming techniques or if you've ever wondered why meditation or mindfulness makes you feel worse instead of better, this episode explains what's happening in the body and gives practical ways to work with it instead of against it. To hear the full episode and learn more about how stress hormones affect healing, head over to Episode 125: Why the Mind & Body Can't Heal Without Oxytocin with Dr. Sue Carter.

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• The Forgotten Hormone: Why the Mind & Body Can’t Heal Without Oxytocin with Dr. Sue Carter

  Many people spend years in therapy and still struggle to feel truly safe in relationships. But why is this? The answer lies in the body. You can understand your trauma, but still feel unsafe. Oxytocin helps turn that understanding into actual feelings of safety in your body. Known as nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatory, oxytocin plays a vital role in regulating the nervous system, forming secure connections, and shifting the body out of survival mode. In this episode, Dr. Aimie is joined by world-renowned oxytocin expert Dr. Sue Carter to discuss how this hormone holds the key to healing trauma, creating genuine safety, and forming secure connections. Dr. Carter has studied oxytocin for over four decades and reveals why this hormone is essential for moving from survival to thriving. In this conversation you hear why traditional talk therapy alone often falls short, how early life experiences program our capacity for connection, and practical tools for naturally increasing oxytocin to create a felt sense of safety in your body. You’ll learn more about: How early attachment experiences shape your nervous system and relationships The difference between vasopressin and oxytocin in the stress response How trauma and chronic stress disrupt your ability to feel safe, even in loving relationships Why oxytocin is nature’s “fire extinguisher” for inflammation and chronic illness Practical tools to support healing and regulate your nervous system And more! Whether you're a practitioner or someone navigating your own healing journey, this episode offers evidence-based insights into how your body creates its own pharmacy of healing hormones and why safety in relationships is the biological foundation for all healing   Helpful Links Related To This Episode: Want to know more about the Safe and Sound Protocol mentioned in the episode? Go here to find out more. Biology of Trauma book - how the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm, and how to heal. Pre-order now and, at the time of this recording, you’ll get over $400 in bonuses included! Those bonuses are only for the pre-order window which goes until Sept 22, 2025. When you’ve already pre-ordered it on Amazon head over here to receive your bonuses. The 21 Day Journey - If you're ready to create a felt sense of safety in your body and experience the benefits of 26% decrease in daily physical pain, 28% decrease in sleep issues and digestive issues, 30% decrease in anxiety, depression, or want to learn how to do this for those you help - join me for your 21-Day Journey, a structured sequence of gentle, somatic-based self-practices walking you through The Essential Sequence to safely open up stored trauma in the body.    Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 69: How Attachment Shapes Our Biology and Behavior Episode 77: Attachment Styles: Impact on Relationships, Health & Healing with Dr. Diane Poole Heller   Timestamps: [02:21] How Early Life Affects Oxytocin and Building Strong Bonds [06:07] How Oxytocin Helps People Feel Safe and Connected [07:51] What PTSD and Trauma Do to Oxytocin Levels [09:59] Why Vasopressin, Not Cortisol, Is the Main Stress Hormone in Trauma [12:29] How the Body Shuts Down During Trauma and Dissociation [14:05] Why Loving Early Relationships Are Important for Emotions [16:48] The Difference Between Fake Safety and Real Safety for Growth [20:02] Simple Ways to Increase Oxytocin [30:58] The Hypothalamus: How It Controls Oxytocin and Safety Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use or misuse of the content provided in this podcast.  

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• The Biology Behind It: Grief and Gut Health

  Did you know that it's impossible to have gut issues without feeling grief and regret, and equally impossible to hold grief while maintaining a healthy gut?  In this mini-episode, Dr. Aimie explores the powerful connection between constipation and grief, expanding on her discussion in Episode 124. She answers a listener's question about remaining stuck in grief work despite months of therapy, and how chronic constipation might be the  barrier preventing emotional healing. You'll hear more on: How grief triggers a biological trauma response that directly impacts digestion The effect constipation has on your nervous system How constipation leads to brain inflammation, mental fatigue, and emotional shutdown Why your gut health directly impacts your ability to process emotions Practical strategies to improve your constipation  Why talk therapy alone may not be enough when the nervous system is stuck in overwhelm If you're struggling with both grief and digestive issues, or if you're a practitioner working with clients who seem stuck in their healing journey, this episode offers crucial insights into the biological barriers that may be preventing progress. To hear the full episode and access additional resources, head over to Episode 124: Grief and Gut Health to learn more!  

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• Grief and Gut Health: Is It Just Emotional or Something More?

  "Your gut cannot hold grief and regret and stay a healthy gut. It's impossible, and it's impossible to have gut issues and to not feel grief and regret." – Dr. Aimie Grief isn't just an emotional process, it's a biological experience that can deeply disrupt your gut health, nervous system, and overall well-being. In this episode, Dr. Aimie explores the gut-brain axis and how emotional trauma like grief gets stored in the body, often leading to digestive issues and nervous system dysregulation. Discover how grief affects the vagus nerve, diaphragm function, and the enteric nervous system—your body's "second brain." Learn why doctors often overlook the link between trauma and the gut, and how somatic healing offers a powerful, holistic approach to recovery. In this episode, you'll learn: How the vagus nerve connects grief and gut health The 3 most difficult types of grief to process: attachment grief, absent grief, and heart shock grief How unprocessed grief disrupts diaphragm function and the digestive system The difference between being stuck in grief vs. actively grieving How grief contributes to inflammation and pressure in gut health How your gut and brain work together to process emotional trauma And more! Whether you're a practitioner or on your own healing journey, this episode sheds light on the mind-body connection, offering a holistic healing perspective on grief, trauma, and gut health.   Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Biology of Trauma book - how the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm, and how to heal. Pre-order now and, at the time of this recording, you’ll get over $400 in bonuses included! Those bonuses are only for the pre-order window which goes until Sept 22, 2025. When you’ve already pre-ordered it on Amazon head over here to receive your bonuses. The 21 Day Journey - many have taken the 21 Day Journey because of grief, and wanting to safely access and regain a sense of safety, energy, and find their authentic self again. Over the course of 21 days, I’ll guide you through a structured sequence of somatic-based self-practices designed to help you reconnect with your body, calm your nervous system, and begin healing from the inside out. Steps to Identify and Heal Trauma - A Roadmap for Healing - Use this free 23-page guide to recognize when grief has become stored trauma in the body them, and get simple steps to the healing journey. It’s great for anyone who wants to understand trauma better or support others on their healing journey.   Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 42: Unlocking The Role Of Disguised Grief in Health with Dr. Joan Rosenberg Episode 89: Tapping, EFT and Energetic Boundaries For Inner Child and Gut Issues with Jennifer Partridge   Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use or misuse of the content provided in this podcast.  

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• The Biology Behind It: Light, Sleep and Habits to Heal Your Nervous System

  What if your inability to change habits and reactions wasn't about lack of willpower or being lazy, but was actually about your body not having enough energy to make the change? In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie goes into the biology behind why so many people feel stuck in old patterns or habits, expanding on her conversation with Katie Wells from Episode 123. She answers a question from Jessica, a therapist, about why her clients intellectually understand their problems but can't seem to make changes stick and feel drained after therapy. Dr. Aimie explains how trauma becomes an energy problem in your body. She breaks down what happens inside your cells when trauma gets stored and why healing requires energy that many people simply don't have. You'll hear more about: How trauma affects your body's mitochondria (aka the cellular powerhouses) The warning signs that your energy system is struggling Why feeling exhausted after therapy means your body doesn't have the energy to heal (Hint: You’re NOT actually failing!) Simple steps you can take today to boost energy levels naturally If you know what your problems are but can't seem to change them, or if you're helping someone who's stuck in this cycle, this episode offers practical steps that actually work with your biology instead of against it. To hear the full conversation, listen to Episode 123: Light, Sleep, and High-Impact Habits to Heal Your Nervous System  

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