How Trauma Reshapes Your Brain and Body

For decades, trauma was seen as a mental issue—something to be addressed with talk therapy, willpower, or the old advice to simply “get over it.” But neuroscience has revealed a deeper truth: trauma doesn’t just affect the mind; it changes the brain and the body too. In Episode 17 of Neuroblast, hosts Athena and Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa unpack the powerful myth that trauma is purely psychological and explore the science that proves otherwise.

From brain structure to immune function, trauma’s reach is far more extensive—and more physical—than most people realize. This episode offers not just a scientific explanation, but a call to shift how we approach healing.

The Myth: Trauma Is Only Mental

The episode opens with Athena introducing a widely held but harmful belief—that trauma only lives in the mind. Tracey quickly dismantles this, pointing out how historical views of mental health failed to acknowledge the body’s involvement. For centuries, phrases like “it’s all in your head” shaped cultural attitudes, reinforcing the idea that trauma could be overcome with enough mental toughness.

But this belief, while persistent, is scientifically outdated. Modern neuroscience paints a much more complex—and compassionate—picture. Trauma is not just remembered emotionally; it’s stored neurologically and physically. And that means recovery needs to address more than just the mind.

The Brain on Trauma: Physical Changes in Key Regions

Tracey explains how trauma actually alters brain structure. When someone experiences trauma—especially chronically—it affects areas like the amygdala (which governs fear and emotion), the hippocampus (critical for memory), and the prefrontal cortex (responsible for reasoning and self-control). These areas become dysregulated or physically damaged over time due to prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol.

Athena describes the impact in relatable terms: trauma doesn’t just create emotional scars; it rewires the brain. The amygdala becomes hyperactive, making someone more prone to anxiety or hypervigilance. The hippocampus can shrink, impairing memory and concentration. And the prefrontal cortex, which helps us make rational decisions, becomes less effective.

These changes aren’t imagined—they’re measurable. Brain scans of trauma survivors show distinct patterns that prove trauma lives not only in memory but in neural pathways themselves.

The Body Keeps the Score: Trauma’s Physical Impact

Perhaps one of the most surprising parts of the episode is how thoroughly Tracey and Athena highlight trauma’s impact on the body. From inflammation to chronic illness, the stress response triggered by trauma affects major systems in the body.

Long-term trauma is linked to conditions such as:

• Heart disease

• Autoimmune disorders

• Digestive issues

• Chronic fatigue

• Persistent pain

  
  

Tracey explains how the body essentially gets “stuck” in survival mode. The constant release of stress hormones compromises immune function and puts wear and tear on physical systems. Even when the trauma is over, the body continues to respond as if it’s still under threat.

Athena puts it simply: “Trauma literally lives in the body.” That’s why healing must go beyond mental health treatment—it must include attention to the body’s signals, symptoms, and needs.

Top 5 Takeaways from the Episode

1. Trauma is not just psychological—it’s neurological and physical. It affects brain structure and body systems, not just emotions or thoughts.

2. Chronic stress reshapes the brain. Key areas like the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex are altered, affecting emotional regulation, memory, and decision-making.

3. The body stores trauma, too. Long-term exposure to stress hormones contributes to inflammation, immune dysfunction, and chronic illnesses.

4. Healing requires a mind-body approach. Trauma-informed care must address both psychological and physical symptoms to be effective.

5. Understanding the full scope of trauma leads to better support and treatment. Recognizing that trauma affects the whole person encourages more compassionate, comprehensive care.

Athena and Tracey’s conversation on Neuroblast is more than a science lesson—it’s a powerful reframing of how we think about trauma. By moving beyond outdated myths and embracing a more holistic understanding, we can better support trauma survivors on their healing journeys.

As Tracey notes, trauma-informed care is not just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Whether through therapy, mindfulness, physical health support, or community connection, healing must treat the whole person, not just the parts we can see.

In the end, the truth is clear: trauma isn’t just in your head. It’s in your brain. It’s in your body. And it deserves real, comprehensive care.