Trauma or Toxins? When the Body Speaks and the Soul Feels Lost
In our modern healing world—where terms like limbic retraining, mold detox, and inner child work swirl around in the same breath—it’s easy to get caught in a vortex of self-diagnosis and overwhelm.
You might be asking yourself:
Why can’t I remember things lately?
Why do I feel tired all the time even though I’m “doing all the things”?
Am I emotionally blocked? Or physically burdened?
The answer, more often than not, is yes to all of the above.
Let me explain.
🧠 Trauma’s Imprint: The Invisible Scar
Dr. Gabor Maté, renowned physician and trauma expert, teaches that trauma is not what happens to us, but what happens inside us as a result of what happened. In his words:
“Trauma is a psychic wound that leaves a scar. It leaves us stuck in behaviors and automatic reactions that don’t serve us. And it lives in the body.”
When left unresolved, trauma reshapes the brain’s wiring—especially in the hippocampus (memory) and amygdala (threat detection)—leading to:
Dissociation and memory gaps
Difficulty staying present or emotionally regulated
Patterns of self-protection that keep us in survival mode
These are not signs of weakness. They’re evidence of a nervous system doing its best to protect you.
📖 Source: Maté, Gabor. “The Myth of Normal” (2022)
☣️ The Toxic Load: When Your Body’s Bucket Overflows
On the other side of the spectrum, we have environmental toxicity—a reality that’s becoming harder to ignore. Dr. Neil Nathan, in his book Toxic, describes how chronic exposure to mold, Lyme disease, heavy metals, and other biotoxins can lead to:
Brain fog and memory lapses
Hormonal imbalances
Chronic fatigue
Anxiety, irritability, and even depersonalization
Many of these toxins inhibit mitochondrial function, dysregulate the gut-brain axis, and overload the body’s detox systems. And here’s the kicker: trauma makes us more sensitive to these physical stressors.
📖 Source: Nathan, Neil. “Toxic” (2018)
🧬 The Mind-Body Matrix: Trauma and Toxins Often Walk Hand in Hand
When the body is toxic and the nervous system is inflamed, it’s nearly impossible to “think” your way into peace or presence.
And when the soul is wounded and frozen in past pain, even the cleanest diet or best protocol can fall flat.
As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk says:
“The body keeps the score.”
Trauma is stored not just in memory, but in muscle tone, gut function, breath pattern, and immune response.
📖 Source: Van der Kolk, Bessel. “The Body Keeps the Score” (2014)
🌾 So... What Do You Do When You Don’t Know Where to Begin?
If you’re feeling confused and overwhelmed, it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re becoming aware.
And that’s sacred. That’s the beginning.
Here are 5 grounding steps to help you start untangling the trauma–toxin web:
Start a simple symptom + mood journal
Track food, sleep, stress, and emotions for 7 days. Look for patterns without judgment.Support your detox pathways
Hydrate, sweat (if tolerated), move your lymph, and keep your bowels regular.Nourish the nervous system
Daily breathwork, tapping (EFT), and nature time calm the limbic system.Limit information overload
Pick ONE trusted guide at a time. Healing is not about collecting protocols.Get curious, not critical
Whether the root is trauma or toxins—or both—your symptoms are not sabotage. They are signals.
💫 Need a Guide? I’ve Been There.
As someone who’s walked the line between spiritual healing and biomedical recovery, I know how disorienting it can feel. My approach blends:
Functional lab testing
Trauma-aware coaching
Detox support (mold, Lyme, heavy metals)
Heart-led, embodied healing
🧭 I help you map the maze and come home to yourself.
✨ Book your free 20-minute connection call [via the link in my bio or site]—we’ll see what’s most aligned for your next step.
📚 Sources + Further Reading:
The Myth of Normal – Dr. Gabor Maté (2022)
Toxic – Dr. Neil Nathan (2018)
The Body Keeps the Score – Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (2014)
Outlive – Dr. Peter Attia (2023)
DNRS + Gupta Program – Limbic system rewiring
