About this episode

Psychoanalyst Erica Komisar discusses the critical importance of the first three years of life for physical health and the impact of emotional trauma.

I have spent decades helping patients heal through diet, exercise, and natural remedies, but there is one injury that supplements can't fix: emotional trauma. Whether it’s "Big T" trauma or the "Little t" trauma of chronic neglect, these emotional scars manifest as autoimmune disease, cancer, and hormone imbalances later in life. In this episode, psychoanalyst Erica Komisar joins me to explain why the first three years of life are the "critical period" for physical health and how we can heal the mind-body connection. We explore the mechanics of the HPA Axis, focusing on the Amygdala (the stress "on" switch) and the Hippocampus (the "off" switch). Erica explains how early childhood stress can "burn out" the brain's ability to regulate cortisol, leading to a permanent state of survival mode. We also discuss the definition of Depression (preoccupation with past loss) versus Anxiety (preoccupation with future loss) and how both act as pathogens on the human immune system. Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1⁠ 🎧 Early Access! Our podcast listeners get every episode early, and you can tune in and be a…

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Dr. Josh Axe Show podcast page.