Member-only story
Why Your Parents’ Trauma Might Be Living Rent-Free in Your DNA
How epigenetics and family dynamics shape your emotional blueprint and what you can do about it
Ever wondered why certain fears, habits, or even dreams haunt you without a clear reason? Maybe the answer lies not in your own life but in your parents — or even your grandparents. Emerging research in epigenetics and psychology suggests that trauma can leave marks not just on the person experiencing it but also on future generations. You might be carrying more than your eye color from your ancestors; you could be inheriting their unresolved pain.
The Science: Trauma, Genes, and Epigenetics
Trauma doesn’t just vanish when an event ends. It leaves traces — psychological scars, yes, but also biological imprints. Here’s where epigenetics comes in. Epigenetics studies how life experiences can alter the way genes are expressed without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Think of it as software modifying the hardware of your body.
For example, studies on Holocaust survivors and their children revealed higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and altered gene expressions linked to stress regulation. Scientists believe that trauma reshapes gene activity, which can then be passed…
