Psychological Trauma & Stress And Its Effects On Sufferer’s Genetics

Principal Category: Neurology

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, PhD DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Exploring the transgenerational effects of psychological trauma involves considering various factors beyond genetics and epigenetics.

Genetic predisposition can influence how trauma impacts individuals and their descendants. Environmental context, such as socioeconomic status and social support, plays a crucial role.

Trauma can affect parenting and family dynamics, impacting children’s development. Psychological factors, including mental health and coping strategies, mediate trauma’s effects.

Biological pathways, like the HPA axis and immune system, are also involved.

Cultural and societal influences shape trauma’s impact on communities.

Research methodology, intervention strategies, and the biopsychosocial model help provide a comprehensive understanding of trauma’s transgenerational effects.

Can Psychological Trauma Affect its Sufferer’s Genetics, their DNA?

The complexity of answering the question of Psychological Trauma’s effect on its sufferers follows, but it depends on several factors including genetics and epigenetics. This is intended to be an introduction only.

“Emotional scars can be so severe that generations descended from those surviving will react in ways that still reflect the original trauma. No amount of normalcy makes it safe. Patterns and attitudes evolve far beyond the individual and are incorporated into family and society. ”
– Patrick J. Carnes, Ph.D., CAS

From an Evolutionary Biological Perspective

Evolutionary biologists generally do not consider psychological trauma a direct factor in the evolution of species. But they do consider it an indirect factor.

Evolution primarily operates through genetic changes that are subject to natural selection, where traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common over generations. Psychological trauma, while impactful on individual organisms, does not directly alter genetic material in a way that would drive evolutionary change, per see – but see below.

However, there are some nuanced perspectives and mechanisms where the effects of trauma might indirectly influence evolution:

1. Behavioral Changes and Natural Selection: If trauma leads to significant behavioral changes that affect an organism’s survival or reproductive success, these behaviors could influence natural selection. For example, if a traumatic experience causes heightened vigilance or avoidance behaviors that enhance survival, those behaviors might become more prevalent in the population. The opposite is also true.
2. Epigenetics: Epigenetic changes, which involve modifications in gene expression rather than changes in the genetic code itself, can be influenced by environmental factors, including stress and trauma. These changes can sometimes be passed on to offspring, potentially affecting their development and behavior. While this is not the same as traditional genetic evolution, it represents a way that environmental influences, including trauma, can have transgenerational effects.
3. Social Structures and Cultural Evolution: In species with complex social structures, such as humans, trauma can influence social behaviors and cultural evolution. Cultural practices and social norms can evolve in response to collective experiences of trauma, shaping group behavior and social structures over time.

Overall, while psychological trauma does not directly drive genetic evolution, its effects on behavior, gene expression, and social structures can contribute to the broader evolutionary landscape in complex ways.

From an Epigenetics Perspective

The concept that psychological trauma can embed in the neurobiology of victims and become encoded in DNA or RNA is an area of active research, particularly within the field of epigenetics. Epigenetics involves changes in gene expression that do not alter the underlying DNA sequence but can still affect how genes are turned on or off. Here are some key points:

1. Epigenetic Mechanisms: Stress and trauma can lead to epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and histone modification. These changes can alter gene expression and potentially affect an individual’s response to future stressors. Studies have shown that individuals exposed to significant stress or trauma can exhibit epigenetic alterations in genes related to stress response, such as the glucocorticoid receptor gene.
2. Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance: There is evidence suggesting that some epigenetic changes resulting from trauma can be passed down to subsequent generations. Research in animal models, such as mice, has demonstrated that offspring can inherit epigenetic marks related to the stress experienced by their parents. In humans, studies on populations that have undergone severe trauma (e.g., Holocaust survivors and their descendants) have suggested similar patterns of epigenetic inheritance.
3. Neurobiological Embedding: Trauma can lead to long-lasting changes in the brain’s structure and function, impacting areas involved in stress response, memory, and emotion regulation. These neurobiological changes can persist throughout an individual’s life and potentially influence gene expression.

While these findings provide strong support for the idea that trauma can lead to lasting epigenetic changes, it’s important to note that:

• Mechanisms Are Complex: The exact mechanisms by which trauma-induced epigenetic changes are maintained and transmitted across generations are still not fully understood.
• Not All Changes Are Heritable: Not all epigenetic changes caused by trauma are necessarily passed on to offspring. The heritability of these changes can depend on various factors, including the timing and nature of the trauma.
• Human Studies Are Limited: While animal studies provide compelling evidence, human studies are more challenging and less definitive due to ethical, methodological, and environmental complexities.

In summary, while there is scientific evidence that psychological trauma can result in epigenetic changes and that some of these changes can be transmitted to subsequent generations, the field is still evolving. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and implications of these findings.

Studies to Support the Above

Here are several studies and reviews that explore the concept of trauma-induced epigenetic changes and their potential transgenerational effects:

1. DNA Methylation Changes:
   • Yehuda, R., Daskalakis, N. P., Desarnaud, F., Makotkine, I., Lehrner, A., Koch, E., … & Bierer, L. M. (2013). Epigenetic Biomarkers as Predictors and Correlates of Symptom Improvement Following Psychotherapy in Combat Veterans with PTSD. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 4, 118. This study found changes in DNA methylation in genes related to stress response in veterans with PTSD, suggesting a potential mechanism for trauma’s lasting effects on gene expression.
2. Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance:
   • Gapp, K., Jawaid, A., Sarkies, P., Bohacek, J., Pelczar, P., Prados, J., … & Mansuy, I. M. (2014). Implication of sperm RNAs in transgenerational inheritance of the effects of early trauma in mice. Nature Neuroscience, 17(5), 667-669. This study showed that early-life stress in mice led to changes in sperm RNA, which were associated with behavioral and metabolic alterations in offspring, indicating a possible mechanism for the transmission of trauma effects across generations.
3. Human Studies on Holocaust Survivors:
   • Yehuda, R., Bell, A., Bierer, L. M., & Schmeidler, J. (2008). Maternal, not paternal, PTSD is related to increased risk for PTSD in offspring of Holocaust survivors. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 42(13), 1104-1111. This study found that children of Holocaust survivors with PTSD showed epigenetic changes in the glucocorticoid receptor gene, suggesting that trauma can have transgenerational epigenetic effects.
4. Neurobiological Embedding:
   • McGowan, P. O., Sasaki, A., D’Alessio, A. C., Dymov, S., Labonté, B., Szyf, M., … & Meaney, M. J. (2009). Epigenetic regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor in human brain associates with childhood abuse. Nature Neuroscience, 12(3), 342-348. This study demonstrated that individuals who experienced childhood abuse had altered DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for stress response.
5. Epigenetic Inheritance Review:
   • Bohacek, J., & Mansuy, I. M. (2015). Molecular insights into transgenerational non-genetic inheritance of acquired behaviours. Nature Reviews Genetics, 16(11), 641-652. This review discusses the mechanisms and evidence for the transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of behaviors, including those influenced by trauma and stress.

These studies collectively support the idea that psychological trauma can lead to epigenetic changes that may affect the individual’s neurobiology and potentially be transmitted to future generations. However, the exact mechanisms and extent of these effects are still subjects of ongoing research.