187 pregnant women living in New York City during the 9/11 attacks gave birth to smaller babies.

Facts 

• The findings also suggest that the babies were predisposed to mental health conditions - namely PTSD.

Explain

After the Twin Towers were attacked on September 11, 2001 many people who'd been in the area were medically evaluated, including 187 pregnant women.

They were at risk of developing PTSD —experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, and other psychiatric symptoms.

• But were the babies at risk?

When the babies were born, they were smaller than usual, and the researchers found many of the mothers had developed PTSD and had unusually low levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).

Surprisingly and disturbingly, the saliva of the 9-month-old babies of the women with PTSD also had low cortisol.

• Low cortisol can be a marker of PTSD and these babies had it.

In the decades since research has confirmed that trauma may influence babies in utero through something called epigenetics: alterations in the way that genes function.

Epigenetics potentially explains why trauma endures long after the immediate threat is gone and how trauma is transmitted to future generations.

These findings may seem dire, but there is some evidence that epigenetics may help children of traumatized parents cope with similar adversities.

Resources

• The same research team that conducted this 9/11 study also looked at Holocaust survivors and their children. Read the article here if you are interested!

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Happy Gut Happy Life

90% of your serotonin and more than 50% of your dopamine (the “happy“ hormones) are produced by your gut lining. 

Facts 

• There is a direct connection between serotonin levels in your body and depression.

Explain

Serotonin helps regulate mood and behavior, and it plays a crucial role in the communication between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis.

If gut issues disrupt the gut-brain axis, studies show that you are at a higher risk for mood imbalances, anxiety, and depression.

Dopamine helps regulate movement, motivation, and reward.

When you experience happiness, both serotonin and dopamine are released in your brain.

Serotonin helps regulate your behavior, while dopamine motivates you to take action to achieve your goals.

Together, they help you feel happy and satisfied.

Gut issues don't just affect your stomach, they affect your brain!

 Resources

• This info is from the Neurohacker Collective, a research and development company dedicated to supporting the body’s ability to self-regulate and help people reach peak performance.

• "This Is Your Brain on Food" by Dr. Uma Naidoo is a guide to the surprising foods that fight depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and more!

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Actionable Tips:

• To shop my favorite clean + non-toxic + organic products, supplements, food, and more CLICK HERE!

• If you are in your reproductive years: track your cycle with MyFlo, 28, Flo, Clue, Wild.AI, or any other period-tracking apps. Understanding your cycle and living in accordance with your natural hormone fluctuations is the best bio-hack you have as a woman!

• To find a practitioner/doctor who specializes in women's health near you who can give you women's-specific advice and will be knowledgeable about ALL women's health topics! CLICK HERE

• If you are perimenopausal: dive into Dr. Mary Claire Haver's work. She is a board-certified OB/GYN who has helped thousands of women going through perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause! She puts out incredible information on social media, but first watch or listen to this podcast to understand the basics.

• To find a practitioner/doctor who is certified by The Menopause Society near you who will answer ALL your questions, educate you, believe your symptoms, and help you! CLICK HERE

• If you are post-menopausal: take advantage of your hormones being the same every day. Follow Dr. Mindy Pelz on social media and check out her Viral YouTube channel for information on optimizing your health and body composition.
  

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*REMINDER: This content is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Consult a doctor for personal health concerns.