Brian Dias – Epigenetics and Intergenerational Trauma

Mind & Life

In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and trauma researcher Brian Dias. Brian is one of the pioneers in understanding how trauma can be transferred between generations. Research in this space has helped fuel a major revolution in biology, because itmeans that not just our genes, but some aspects of our experiences can be inherited. This conversation covers many topics, including:

• his path into studying trauma;
• how trauma can pass through generations;
• links with the Buddhist concept of karma;
• understanding epigenetics & the interplay between genes and environment;
• implications for inheritance and evolution;
• whether such intergenerational transmission is helpful or harmful;
• epigenetic clocks in our cells;
• how trauma affects brain development;
• sociocultural, developmental, and biological pathways for transmission of experiences;
• creating legacies of flourishing;
• lessons learned from collaborating with Tibetan monastics;
• providing resources to parents to try to halt legacies of trauma;
• impacts of stress on our mitochondria and microbiome;
• and scientists as humans first.

Full show notes and resources