Childhood adversity greatly increases the risk of addiction, autoimmune disease, depression, ADHD, relationship problems, and STDs. Trauma involves disconnection from the body and emotions, leading to negative views of oneself and the world, and defensive views of others.
The idea that being overweight is solely related to genetics is a misconception. A study on adverse childhood experiences shows the relationship between childhood adversity and adult outcomes.
Adverse childhood experiences like having a parent who is jailed, addicted, mentally ill, or dying drastically increases the risk of various health problems including addiction, autoimmune disease, ADHD, depression, and relationship issues later in life. Obesity is also a response to childhood trauma and serves as a way to self-soothe stress.
The speaker reflects on his own coping mechanisms and discusses the importance of reframing past behaviors to gain a better understanding of addiction.
The podcast host discusses how he used loving-kindness meditation to overcome negative behaviors and resentments towards his past selves, including the anger that fueled him to leave his hometown, and how to reconcile with those behaviors without presenting them.
Dr. Gabor Maté explains that trauma is not just what happens to you, but what happens inside you as a result, which can lead to disconnection from your emotions and body. He recommends reconnecting with yourself and your emotions to recover from addiction and traumatic experiences.