Trauma isn't just something that lives in our minds. It has a profound impact on our biology. In this episode, Dr. Ritamarie sits down with Dr. Aimie Apigian, a double board-certified physician and expert in trauma biology, to explore the hidden impact of trauma on metabolism, immunity, and the nervous system. Dr. Apigian explains how unresolved trauma can trigger physical symptoms, including chronic illness.

You’ll discover the biological processes that make trauma a root cause of illness, why the body keeps the score, and how trauma creates a feedback loop that keeps people stuck in their symptoms. Dr. Apigian shares actionable strategies for practitioners and self-healers to help break the trauma cycle, understand the body’s response, and guide their clients toward healing.

What’s Inside This Episode?

How unresolved trauma rewires your metabolism, immunity, and nervous system
The "Body Trauma Loop": Why trauma keeps you in fight or flight
How childhood trauma shapes adult health, metabolism, and immunity
The 3-phase healing process: From safety to expansion
Why “little T” trauma can be just as damaging as “big T” trauma
How to recognize when trauma is the root cause of chronic symptoms

Resources and Links:

Download the full transcript here
Download our FREE Guide to Fasting for Health and Longevity
Join the Next-Level Health Practitioner Facebook group here for free resources and community support
Visit INEMethod.com for advanced practitioner training and tools to elevate your clinical skills
Check out other podcast episodes here

Guest Resources and Links:

Dr. Aimie Apigian’s Website: biologyoftrauma.com
Dr. Aimie Apigian’s Book - The Biology of Trauma: Get the book here
Dr. Aimie Apigian’s Podcast: Biology of Trauma Podcast
Free Gift: Nervous System Reset - Five Somatic Practices
Connect with Dr. Aimie on Social Media:
Instagram: @dr.aimie
LinkedIn: Dr. Aimie Apigian
YouTube: Dr. Aimie Apigian

Guest Bio

Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, revolutionizes trauma healing by revealing how our cells—not just our minds—store trauma. Her book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she developed an integrative science-based sequence for the healing journey. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, proving that repairing trauma's impact on the mind, body, and biology is possible.