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The Surprising Solutions To Heal Trauma Without Medication - Bessel van der Kolk - #787

Modern Wisdom

2024/05/23
Modern Wisdom

Modern Wisdom

2024/05/23
In this podcast, psychiatrist and researcher Bessel van der Kolk delves into the profound ways trauma is stored in the body, challenging conventional psychological approaches. He explains how traumatic experiences can fundamentally alter a person's being, leading to automatic physical and emotional reactions that undermine a sense of control. The conversation explores the critical role of social connection in both causing and healing trauma, and introduces innovative therapies that focus on the body's role in recovery.
Van der Kolk argues that trauma is not just a mental issue but a physical one, where the body 'keeps the score' through chronic stress, illness, and automatic reactions. Healing begins by restoring a sense of safety in the body through practices like yoga or bodywork. He emphasizes that trauma often stems from social disconnection and betrayal, making real, supportive relationships crucial for recovery. The discussion highlights the importance of self-compassion, which can be uniquely fostered by psychedelics like MDMA, allowing individuals to re-experience past events without self-blame. Van der Kolk also warns against the commercialization of psychedelic therapy, stressing the need for proper therapeutic context. He advocates for teaching self-regulation and body awareness in schools to build a more conscious society, and introduces his new book, 'Come to Your Senses', which focuses on embodied self-awareness as a path to healing.
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Trauma is an assault that changes one's being
04:00
04:00
Social support protects against trauma
07:28
07:28
The body keeps the score by reacting automatically to triggers.
12:45
12:45
Therapy is a courageous act of confronting internal pain to regain agency.
21:44
21:44
Self-regulation should be taught in schools
26:51
26:51
Psychedelics uniquely increase self-compassion by allowing deep re-experiencing without self-blame
34:00
34:00
Trauma can manifest as physical illnesses like fibromyalgia and chronic pain
48:16
48:16
Choose awareness over being ruled by afflictions.
57:15
57:15
Rolfing freed my body from early childhood trauma imprints.
1:01:44
1:01:44
Worries about commercialization and lack of therapeutic context
1:04:38
1:04:38
Changing our relationship with ourselves