The Forgotten Hormone: Why the Mind & Body Can’t Heal Without Oxytocin with Dr. Sue Carter

Video Description

"Oxytocin is nature’s fire extinguisher. Every chronic illness I know of has an inflammatory component. Oxytocin is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatories we have." – Dr. Sue Carter Many people spend years in therapy and still struggle to feel truly safe in relationships. But why is this? The answer lies in the body. You can understand your trauma, but still feel unsafe. Oxytocin helps turn that understanding into actual feelings of safety in your body. Known as nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatory, oxytocin plays a vital role in regulating the nervous system, forming secure connections, and shifting the body out of survival mode. In this episode, Dr. Aimie is joined by world-renowned oxytocin expert Dr. Sue Carter to discuss how this powerful nine amino acid peptide hormone holds the key to healing trauma, creating genuine safety, and forming secure connections. Dr. Carter has studied oxytocin for over four decades and reveals why this hormone is essential for moving from survival to thriving. In this conversation you hear why traditional talk therapy alone often falls short, how early life experiences program our capacity for connection, and practical tools for naturally increasing oxytocin to create a felt sense of safety in your body. You’ll learn more about: - How early attachment experiences shape your nervous system and relationships - The difference between vasopressin and oxytocin in the stress response - How trauma and chronic stress disrupt your ability to feel safe, even in loving relationships - Why oxytocin is nature’s “fire extinguisher” for inflammation and chronic illness Whether you're a practitioner or someone navigating your own healing journey, this episode offers evidence-based insights into how your body creates its own pharmacy of healing hormones and why safety in relationships is the biological foundation for all healing Dr. Carter is the scientist who first discovered the relationship between oxytocin and social monogamy and the formation of adult social bonds. She has a longstanding interest in birth and lactation and the evolution of human sociality and love. She is currently examining the developmental effects of oxytocin pathways and their role promoting in the capacity for social bonding, parental behavior and healthy relationships across the lifecycle Timestamps: [02:21] How Early Life Affects Oxytocin and Building Strong Bonds [06:07] How Oxytocin Helps People Feel Safe and Connected [07:51] What PTSD and Trauma Do to Oxytocin Levels [09:59] Why Vasopressin, Not Cortisol, Is the Main Stress Hormone in Trauma [12:29] How the Body Shuts Down During Trauma and Dissociation [14:05] Why Loving Early Relationships Are Important for Emotions [16:48] The Difference Between Fake Safety and Real Safety for Growth [20:02] Simple Ways to Increase Oxytocin [30:58] The Hypothalamus: How It Controls Oxytocin and Safety Helpful Links Related To This Episode Biology of Trauma book - how the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm, and how to heal - at the time of this recording, The book Insider’s Circle is open and pre-orders have gone live. You will receive over $400 worth of bonuses if you pre-order now. And if you’ve already pre-ordered it on Amazon head over here to receive your bonuses! Join the Book Club: https://book.biologyoftrauma.com/home/?el=YT Pre-order the book: https://amzn.to/4lVw3PL/?el=YT 21 Day Journey → https://traumahealingaccelerated.mykajabi.com/21-Day-Journey-and-All-Parts-of-Me/?el=YT Let me guide you through The Essential Sequence with 21 days of structured somatic self-practices that you can learn for yourself, or apply in your work in those you help. It allows you access to do the deeper work with me because you have these skills of immediately creating inner safety. Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 69: How Attachment Shapes Our Biology and Behavior → https://biologyoftrauma.com/how-attachment-shapes-our-biology-and-behavior/?el=YT Episode 77: Attachment Styles: Impact on Relationships, Health & Healing with Dr. Diane Poole Heller → https://biologyoftrauma.com/attachment-styles-impact-on-relationships-health-and-healing/?el=YT Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast. Comment Etiquette: I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Please share your constructive feedback by using personal name or initials so that we can keep this space spam-free, and let's keep the discussion positive!