How Somatic Therapy Changes The Brain
Intact medicines such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine have always understood that the mind and body are inextricable. But only in recent years has the Western model of mental health begun to acknowledge this age-old wisdom. As a result of the powerful healing potential of body-mind work, we’re now living in an era characterized by q surge of interest in somatic therapy. This approach recognizes the profound interplay between the mind and body, aiming to alleviate psychological distress and physical suffering by rebuilding our relationship with what’s below the neck. In this post, we delve into the specific neurobiological changes associated with somatic therapy, shedding light on the ways in which this therapeutic modality changes the brain=— inclining it toward greater ease and freedom.
Somatic Therapy: A Neurobiological Perspective
Let’s dive into the main ways that somatic psychotherapy has been shown to change the brain and help you heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, and even physical pain:
Impact on the Amygdala: The amygdala is a key player in the brain's emotional processing center. And as a result, it is deeply implicated in trauma and stress responses. Somatic therapy, particularly approaches like Somatic Experiencing (SE), has been linked to a reduction in amygdala activation. This indicates that somatic therapy may contribute to the quieting of exaggerated fear responses associated with traumatic memories. That means a life with less fear.
Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Somatic therapy actively engages with the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, and digestion. Trauma often dysregulates the ANS, leading to heightened states of arousal or shutdown. Through somatic techniques like breathwork, body scans, eye movement, and mindfulness, somatic therapy helps regulate the ANS, promoting a more balanced and adaptive response to stress. Meaning, you can encounter stressful situations and not be as impacted by them (i.e. less or no anxiety, fear, shutdown, or reactivity states).
Changes in Cortisol Levels: Chronic stress and trauma can result in dysregulation of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. Research suggests that somatic therapy, including mindful movement practices like yoga and tai chi, may contribute to the normalization of cortisol levels. This indicates a potential neuro-endocrine mechanism through which somatic therapy supports stress reduction.
Neuroplasticity and Structural Changes: Somatic therapy has been associated with neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Studies have indicated structural changes in areas of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex. This suggests that somatic therapy may play a role in reshaping neural circuits involved in emotional processing.
Enhanced Interoception: Interoception, the ability to perceive your internal bodily sensations, is a central focus of somatic therapy. Mindfulness practices and body-awareness techniques inherent in somatic therapy enhance interoceptive awareness. Research suggests that individuals who engage in somatic practices may show increased connectivity between brain regions associated with interoception.
Reduction in Default Mode Network (DMN) Activity: The default mode network, implicated in self-referential thoughts and mind-wandering, may exhibit altered activity in individuals with trauma or stress-related disorders. Somatic therapy, particularly mindfulness-based approaches, has been associated with a reduction in DMN activity. This shift may contribute to decreased rumination and an increased capacity for present-moment awareness.
The Impacts of Somatic Therapy On Emotional Regulation and Wellbeing
The neurobiological changes associated with somatic therapy hold significant implications for emotional regulation and overall wellbeing. By influencing key brain structures and pathways, somatic interventions contribute to the rewiring of the nervous system, offering individuals new possibilities for coping with stress, trauma, and emotional challenges and encouraging changes on the brain-level that are long-lasting.