Dr. Aimie Apigian: The Biology of Trauma, Nervous System Safety and Somatic Healing

Feb 20

Longevity isn’t just workouts, supplements, and recovery tools, it starts with nervous system health.

In this episode, Dr. Aimie Apigian explains what trauma actually is (not a label, but a measurable physiological response), how the body shifts from stress into overwhelm, and why “pushing through” often turns into years of avoidance, numbing, and hidden internal strain.

She breaks down the biology behind the trauma response, including the role of adrenaline, cortisol timing, and how mitochondrial capacity influences resilience. You’ll also learn her practical, body-based approach to creating “safe enough” in real time, plus the three phases of healing: safety, support, and expansion, so you don’t stay stuck avoiding triggers forever.

In this conversation:

Stress vs trauma response (and what changes physiologically)
Why adrenaline drives the response and cortisol arrives later
How the body stores trauma as patterns, not just memories
The 3 nervous system states and the thoughts they generate
A simple somatic exercise to build safety in the body
Why devices/meds can be bridges, not the destination
Using biomarkers + wearables without fooling yourself
Why modern media can create vicarious trauma

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