![]() “The word ‘epigenetic’ literally means ‘in addition to changes in genetic sequence,’” according to Environ Health Perspect. ![]() Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW, intergenerational trauma can present itself as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, substance abuse disorders, eating disorders, insomnia, and much more.Įpigenetics further validates just how real intergenerational trauma can feel, studying how our gene activity - although not sequence - can be modified by the exposures and experiences of our parents. Intergenerational trauma captures how, sometimes, the post-traumatic state we grapple with isn’t based on our own lived experiences - events, series of events, or set of circumstances - but on our parents’ and grandparents’ and ancestors’ experiences. Trauma is defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as “ from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” Notably, trauma can show up in many different ways, challenging many different parts of ourselves and our lives. The study of epigenetics emerges in gene and trauma research to explore this phenomenon, investigating how gene expression can be altered by environmental factors, and recent evidence suggests that trauma can leave lasting marks that pass through generations.Įpigenetics suggests a maternal line component, too - while children of any sex or gender can encounter the impact of epigenetics, being born into a female body can mean that epigenetics and trauma manifest in unique ways related to hormonal health and female reproductive health. Essentially, we can inherit our parents’ and ancestors’ trauma just as we might inherit their features, resources, and lifestyles. Even if it’s hard to detect consciously, we carry the experiences, burdens, victories, and entire lifespans of our parents and ancestors. When we’re born, our genetics don’t provide us with a blank slate.
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