This episode is for you if you have ever experienced trauma.  Which to some degree or another is all of us. Today we discuss the distinction between stress and trauma responses with Dr. Aimie Apigian. Stress begins with a startle response, leading to a high-energy stress response that mobilizes the body into action. On the other hand, trauma responses involve freezing and energy depletion. Trauma responses can result in a shutdown of the body, affecting physical health and causing inflammation and other biological effects. We also discuss the role of cortisol in the stress response, emphasizing that cortisol supports the high-energy state. However, in trauma responses, the emergency brake is pulled alongside the accelerator, leading to confusing messages within the body. This can result in chronic conditions and symptoms, which are often rooted in past traumas and overwhelm. We then talk about how working with trauma responses requires a specific sequence to shift the body's programming. The first step is establishing safety, both in a felt sense and by changing the biology to a state of safety. Dr. Aimie explains somatic work, such as somatic experiencing, to help us become aware of their nervous system and track our stress and trauma responses. By using gentle tools to shift our state, we can move towards healing and rewiring trauma patterns. Overall, Dr. Aimie's insights shed light on the biology of trauma, the impact it has on physical health, and the importance of understanding the distinction between stress and trauma responses for effective healing and well-being. About our Guest Dr. Aimie Apigian, MD, MS, MPH is the leading medical expert on how life experiences get stored in the body and restoring the body to its best state of health through her signature model and methodology, The Biology of Trauma™. She is a double board-certified medical physician in Preventive Medicine and Addiction Medicine. She has a Masters in Biochemistry and a Masters in Public Health. In addition to her medical training, she is also a Certified Functional Medicine physician and has training and certifications specifically in neuro-autoimmunity, nutrition, and genetics for addictions, mental health, and mood and behavioral disorders. She has several certifications in various trauma therapies including the Instinctual Trauma Response Model (an art trauma therapy), Somatic Experiencing (developed by Dr. Peter Levine), and NeuroAffective Touch (Dr. Aline LaPierre). THA Website: CLICK HERE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draimie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draimie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aimie-apigian-1b863244 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/draimieapigian   Do you have a question you have wanted to ask to get clarification on an episode or something that you would like to learn about on a new episode?  I want to hear from you and feature your question on our show!  CLICK HERE or go to https://go.megmill.com/askmeanything to get your questions answered today. I am excited to connect with you and will be personally reading all of your questions! Are you constipated, bloated, gassy, or nauseous?  Have you been diagnosed with IBS or reflux?  There are things you can do every time you eat to set yourself up for better digestion. Download this free guide for simple but effective tips you can do every day for better gut health.  Go to www.TheGutFixer.com to get started today. For more info on the host, visit www.megmill.com and follow Meg on Instagram @drmegmill. I would love for you to screenshot the episode and tag me so we can connect! Don’t forget to leave a review!