Hello my beautiful friends! Welcome back to my blog where we discuss the science of spirituality, energy healing, metaphysical concepts and so much more in a grounded and understandable way. As a professional molecular biologist and an expert in how gene expression is altered during disease, I’m particularly excited to share my unique, spiritual perspective on the topic of today’s post. We are going to be discussing the science behind how trauma and suppressed emotions have profound physiological effects our bodies on a molecular level. We'll explore the profound ways in which trauma can alter cellular function, influencing not only our individual health and behaviour but also potentially extending its effects across generations, affecting even our children.
What are epigenetics?
Each of us has a unique set of instructions encoded in our DNA, which determines how our bodies work. Inside each cell, there are genes, but most of them are inactive until they receive signals to turn on. Only a specific set of genes are activated when needed, guiding the functions of each cell or organ. This control of gene activity is managed by a fascinating field called epigenetics. Cells use various methods to coordinate which genes are active, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA expression, all of which influence our physical processes and traits.
The following examples demonstrate the broad impact of epigenetic regulation on diverse biological processes and their relevance to health, disease, and adaptation throughout the lifespan:
Stress response: Epigenetic modifications regulate the expression of genes involved in the body's physiological and behavioural responses to stress. Chronic stress can lead to persistent changes in epigenetic marks, contributing to stress-related disorders.
Response to environmental stimuli: Epigenetic modifications allow organisms to adapt to changes in their environment by altering gene expression patterns, including responses to diet, toxins, and temperature changes.
Immune system regulation: Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in the development and function of the immune system. They regulate the expression of genes involved in immune cell differentiation, activation, and response to infection.
Aging: Epigenetic modifications accumulate over a person's lifespan and are associated with aging processes. Changes in DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications can contribute to age-related decline in cellular function and tissue integrity.
How does trauma affect our epigenetics?
Trauma can deeply affect our epigenetics, determining which genes are turned on without changing our DNA sequence. One significant change associated with trauma is DNA methylation, where methyl groups are added to DNA molecules. A study by Weaver et al. (2004) in rats showed that variations in maternal care, like licking and grooming, could cause long-lasting changes in DNA methylation patterns and gene activity in the brain's hippocampus, affecting stress response and learning abilities. Similarly, another study in rats by Zhang et al. (2006) demonstrated how different maternal care influenced DNA methylation and gene activity in the amygdala, a brain region linked to emotions and defence mechanisms, highlighting how epigenetics shapes behaviour.
Expanding on animal studies, McGowan et al. (2009) examined postmortem human brain tissue to explore the connection between childhood abuse and DNA methylation in the gene which encodes the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), which plays a central role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a key neuroendocrine system responsible for the body's response to stress. Dysregulation of the glucocorticoid receptor system has been implicated in various stress-related disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study found that individuals who experienced abuse had changes in DNA methylation and lower levels of the glucocorticoid receptor in their brains, suggesting a link between early trauma, epigenetic changes, and mental health issues like depression and PTSD. Suderman et al. (2012) provided further evidence by showing how early life experiences, such as maternal care, can affect DNA methylation in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory and emotions, in both rats and humans. This suggests that our experiences in early life can leave lasting marks on our DNA, influencing our brain health and behaviour as we grow older.
A study led by Yehuda et al. (2016) sheds light on how trauma can affect not only individuals who experience it but also their descendants. Focusing on Holocaust survivors and their adult offspring, the researchers delved into the epigenetic changes linked to trauma exposure by analysing DNA methylation patterns. Their findings revealed significant differences in DNA methylation between Holocaust survivors and their offspring compared to control groups. Specifically, variations were observed in the methylation of the FKBP5 gene, which plays a role in regulating the body's response to stress and is strongly associated with major depressive disorder. Similarly, a study by Klengel et al. (2013) found specific alterations in FKBP5 DNA methylation in response to childhood trauma, highlighting how epigenetic mechanisms interact with environmental factors. These studies emphasise how trauma can leave a lasting imprint on epigenetic processes, affecting gene expression across generations. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms is crucial for comprehending how trauma-related effects can be passed down through generations.
In summary, understanding how trauma affects our epigenetics and the underlying molecular mechanisms is crucial for comprehending its enduring effects on gene expression and behaviour, with implications for mental health and intergenerational transmission.
The holistic perspective of epigenetics and how to heal
Since this blog post is for my website, The Spiritual Scientist, I aimed to incorporate my spiritual and holistic viewpoint alongside the existing scientific evidence. Since there's no specific research article to cite, I encourage you to take what resonates with you. This is simply how I perceive things, and the motivation behind starting this blog was to share my unique perspectives.
I believe that the body constantly seeks to return to its natural state of balance and health, known as homeostasis, and has the ability to heal from any ailment. Even in cases where the nervous system has been affected by intergenerational or childhood trauma, as discussed above, it still retains the capacity to heal and restore itself to equilibrium. I believe that what hinders this healing process are our thought patterns and mental conditioning, which are influenced by negative beliefs systems and fears we hold. During childhood, our survival heavily relies on external factors and the guidance of adults in our environment. At this stage, we lack the emotional maturity necessary to effectively cope with extreme stress and process our feelings. Those who have encountered adverse experiences in their early years are particularly susceptible to adopting harmful thought patterns due to feelings of insecurity. This can pose challenges in expressing their needs authentically and may hinder the body's ability to return to its natural state. Even into adulthood, these individuals are likely to retain unresolved energy stemming from these early experiences. Subsequently, individuals may find themselves subconsciously suppressing emotions throughout their lifetime, believing it to be necessary for their safety.
Now let's discuss my interpretation from the perspective of energy healing. In shamanic traditions, it is believed that during traumatic experiences, the soul becomes fragmented, and a part remains trapped in that moment in time. This fragmentation reduces the overall life force energy available to an individual and interrupts the natural flow of energy into the body, reducing the supply of energy to cells. To address this, shamans and energy healers often engage in practices aimed at soul retrieval, which involves journeying into non-ordinary reality to locate and reintegrate the fragmented soul parts into the individual. Additionally, negative beliefs and fears stemming from these traumas further impede the smooth flow of energy within the body. I believe the life-force energy that manifests as our bodies somehow interacts with our DNA. This interaction may influence the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression, subsequently impacting the state and functioning of our cells. When this energy flow is disturbed, it disrupts the balance of cellular function, potentially resulting in physical or mental ailments.
Conclusion
In summary, traumatic experiences affect not only our mental health but also deeply influence our energetic and physiological conditions by changing our epigenetics and gene expression patterns. Energy healing practices like reiki and shamanic soul retrieval have the potential to restore the natural flow of life-force energy within the body and promote a healthier gene expression state in our cells. I'm excited to share that, in addition to reiki energy healing, I'm currently undergoing training to attain certification as a shamanic practitioner. This qualification will enable me to offer a wider range of healing techniques, including soul and power retrieval ceremonies to help my clients achieve profound energetic healing and a sense of wholeness.
References
Bagot, R. C., & Meaney, M. J. (2010). Epigenetics and the biological basis of gene × environment interactions. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(8), 752-771.
Klengel, T., Mehta, D., Anacker, C., Rex-Haffner, M., Pruessner, J. C., Pariante, C. M., ... & Bradley, B. (2013). Allele-specific FKBP5 DNA demethylation mediates gene–childhood trauma interactions. Nature neuroscience, 16(1), 33-41.
McGowan, P. O., Sasaki, A., D'Alessio, A. C., Dymov, S., Labonté, B., Szyf, M., ... & Meaney, M. J. (2009). Epigenetic regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor in human brain associates with childhood abuse. Nature Neuroscience, 12(3), 342-348.
Suderman, M., McGowan, P. O., Sasaki, A., Huang, T. C., Hallett, M. T., Meaney, M. J., ... & Szyf, M. (2012). Conserved epigenetic sensitivity to early life experience in the rat and human hippocampus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109 (Supplement 2), 17266-17272.
Weaver, I. C., Cervoni, N., Champagne, F. A., D'Alessio, A. C., Sharma, S., Seckl, J. R., ... & Meaney, M. J. (2004). Epigenetic programming by maternal behavior. Nature Neuroscience, 7(8), 847-854.
Yehuda, R., Daskalakis, N. P., Bierer, L. M., Bader, H. N., Klengel, T., & Holsboer, F. (2016). Holocaust exposure induced intergenerational effects on FKBP5 methylation. Biological psychiatry, 80(5), 372-380.
Zhang, T. Y., Bagot, R. C., Parent, C., Nesbitt, C., Bredy, T. W., Caldji, C., ... & Meaney, M. J. (2006). Maternal programming of defensive responses through sustained effects on gene expression. Biological Psychiatry, 73(1), 72-89.
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