TRANSFORMING TRAUMA, PTSD, MOODS, and TALKING TO YOUR MICROBIOME: PART II

Pam England

Why is it that not everyone who experiences a similar experience develops PTSD? Among many risk factors for PTSD response in adults, here are a few: Childhood trauma contributes to a proinflammatory state and low cortisol in adulthood. Malnutrition, fast food, antibiotics, and other stressors in early life (including the perinatal period) play a major role in diminishing diversity in gut microbiome which later affect immune homeostasis and the nervous system, thus increasing stress-related disorders later in life.1,2

Mood is Influenced by Brain-Gut and Gut-Brain Microbiome

There is an association between our emotional well-being and gut bacteria and between stress and junk food harming gut health and subsequently causing depression and anxiety. “Animal studies tell us that dietary interventions and probiotics can manipulate the gut microbiome and ameliorate the effects of adversity on the central nervous system, especially during the first years of life when the developing brain and microbiome are more plastic.”3

Probiotics for Prevention and Treatment of Stress and Trauma

Probiotics block the harmful effects of stress. In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, mice injected with a bacterium called mycobacterium vaccae (a probiotic) were less anxious when confronted with a dangerous situation and less likely to develop inflammation or colitis. Introducing mycobacterium vaccae in mice shifted their brain to an anti-inflammatory state and created a lasting stress-resilient phenotype in their brain”3

At the Transformation and Healing conference at Southwestern College in Santa Fe last week, Lee Cartwright and a volunteer from the audience demonstrated the process of “Talking to Your Microbiome.” You can do this for yourself or guide someone else through it. The two prescribed phrases are written in bold below. Repeat each phrase six to ten times for each organ or system related to your symptoms or in your body. Following each phrase are notes and instructions from Lee’s handouts and lecture.

TALKING TO YOUR MICROBIOME

Phrase One

Divine microbiome of the ______[name the organs or systems that apply, skin, mouth, lungs, etc.], please ask the core of the Earth about your absorption of your own frequencies of energy.”

a) Microbiome is found in every organ and system (not just the colon): Skin; ears; eyes; mouth; respiratory tract;  urinary tract; reproductive system; hair; bone marrow; immune system; everything.

b) Why “divine” microbiome? For Lee, saying “divine” distinguishes the “good” microbiome from the pathological ones (e.g., giardia, herpes, virus, etc.).

c)  “Core of the Earth,” Lee explained, “because this is the source of all information since time began, it’s where the Akashic records are stored.” I could not find a source to explain this in a way my rational brain would understand. 

d) Every sentient being has its own frequency of energy, but through trauma, energy flow in body, mind, and microbiome become disorganized. Just like what happens to our mind, Lee says, microbiome in shock and trauma also “forgets who it is, what its purpose and energy frequency is.” I can imagine this.

Phrase Two

“Divine microbiome of the _____[part of the body] please metabolize everything weneed to learn from ____ [name a specific feeling, pattern, or symptom, e.g. disconnected, exhaustion, fear of conflict, etc.] 

What Happened During the Demonstration

While repeating the following phrases six to ten times for each symptom, organ or system of her body, the volunteer became teary at times, and toward the end of each set began to whisper the phrases to her microbiome. Was the volunteer’s affective shift due to her feeling loving-kindness toward herself, her body, her emotions, and her microbiome? She was not asked, so we don’t know what her experience was. Whether or not repeating these phrases is actually effective in changing microbiome (I am skeptical), what is the harm if it helps the subject feel relaxed?  

My Experience of Talking to Microbiome:

If you know me well, you know I don’t teach anything I have not myself practiced long enough to have embodied layers of meaning or skill. So, even though this process seemed a bit new age to me, I tried to give the benefit of the doubt that saying such phrases to parts of one’s body could be an act of loving kindness, and thus bring about the “metabolizing” of a feeling or symptom. So, on several occasions I made my most sincere effort to understand this process through practice.

Try as I might—even with my wild imagination—I could not make any sense of phrase number one. It doesn’t resonate with me that all knowledge and Akashic records have been stored in the core of the earth and I have no clue what “absorption of your own frequencies of energy”means. I thought maybe it was just a poorly constructed sentence. With an open mind, I gave phrase two my best shot—using several systems and symptoms—and got nuttin. I suspect the microbiome in my brain got pretty lost.

Still, I wanted to acknowledge the actual role of microbiome in resolving upsets and trauma. I made a colorful mental picture of vast and knowing communities of microbiome that have existed from the beginning of time. While contemplating and acknowledging the invisible, magnificent world of microbiota accomplishing phenomenal feats of healing, harmonizing, and maintaining homeostasis, I experienced gratitude for the trillions of microorganisms in my body. I read that a belief is not something one has, it is what one does. I believe in the magnificent role microbiomes play in my mental and physical well-being. I’m doing my part by nourishing my microbiome with ample fresh fruits and veggies every day and probiotics while abstaining from processed foods.

As Birth Story Mentors. . .

The emerging field of research on microbiome and trauma is relevant to our work as birth story mentors. As we strive to be holistic mentors, in addition to leading the birth story process, we must keep in mind that the birth story and its healing is not found just in words. When we encounter storytellers in birth shock, trauma, postpartum depression, and PTSD remember the birth story and the medicine is also in the body. Include brief counseling that research is showing that a whole food diet and probiotics makes a difference in our mental well-being and ability to cope and recover from trauma. 

Resources:

  1. Sophie Leclercq, Paul Forsythe, John Bienenstock (2016, April). PostTraumatic Disorder: Does the Gut Microbiome Hold the Key? Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 61(4): 204-213. doi:10.1177/0706743716635535  
  2. Callaghan, B. L., et.al. Mind and gut: Associations between mood and gastrointestinal distress in children exposed to adversity. Development and Psychopathology, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579419000087
  3. Anna Sandoiu (2018, June). Probiotics might make us immune to stress. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322089.php
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