Trauma and DNA

TRAUMA: (noun)

ETYMOLOGY: medical Latin, from Greek word "trauma", which translates as "wound." (STRONGS G5134) Also from the Proto-Indian-European root "tere," meaning "to rub, to turn" and "to cross over, pass through". Some derivations refer to "twisting, piercing". Originally trauma referred to an abnormal condition of the body produced by external violence. Later expanded to encompass the sense of "a psychic wound, an unpleasant experience which causes abnormal stress." Psychologist William James described it, in Psychological Review, as "thorns in the spirit, so to speak". (https://www.etymonline.com/word/trauma)

DEFINITION: Any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning. Traumatic events include those caused by human behavior (abuse, violence, war) as well as by nature (earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, accidents) and often challenge an individual’s view of the world as a just, safe, and predictable place. (https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/)

I am not a geneticist. I am sharing what The Lord has Revealed to me. This started when The Lord Said "Trauma affects mitochondrial DNA." I started by looking up mitochondrial DNA. Over time, The Lord has Revealed more and more. I have done basic online research along the way, to verify what The Lord was Showing me. I am now sharing this with you. Also, head's up: there's 500 links in this post.

We see that trauma can be brought on by both sin and natural disaster type events. In Genesis 3, Scripture Says the ground of the earth was cursed in The Fall (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203%3A17-24&version=ESV).

• Romans 8:20-22 (ESV)

  20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

This post will focus primarily on sin's part in causing trauma, and the subsequent effects. Especially in the context of childhood trauma.

Origins of the word sin: The primary Hebrew word chata and Greek word hamartia mean "to miss the mark." To miss the mark by not obeying God's Guidelines set forth for human flourishing and abundant life.

• 1 John 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

Much trauma in childhood is experienced due to the sin of others, especially adults. And the effects of trauma last long after the child is grown, no longer a dependent and able to leave traumatic living situations. In this post, we focus on how trauma affects human DNA. I talked about DNA some in my last post where God Asked "Where did the fist DNA come from?" (https://christyhale.org/dust). Review that for a little background on DNA.

Some ways trauma impacts human DNA:

MITOCHONDRIA:

• Studies have shown that trauma changes the shape and function of mitochondria. Mitochondria are the primary energy producers for cells. Mitochondria converts nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is released as fuel / energy for the cell processes.

• These changes can impact the mitochondrial DNA (mDNA, mtDNA). mDNA is similar to nuclear DNA... Nuclear DNA is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells of humans. The mitochondria are cellular organelles found in the cytoplasm of these eukaryotic cells. These mitochondria have their own DNA. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrial_DNA)

• Trauma can affect the mDNA by altering the number of copies of the mitochondrial genome per cell. Both reduced and elevated mDNA copy numbers can indicate dysfunction. Low levels are linked to cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and all-cause mortality. Elevated levels are associated with diabetes, major depression, and certain cancers. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567724920300659)

• Research also indicates trauma leads to impaired energy metabolism and decreased ATP production in the mitochondria. ATP is the primary energy currency for all living cells.

• Trauma also increases oxidative stress, which can activate inflammatory pathways. Oxidative stress occurs when the body's ability to detoxify free radicals is impeded, resulting in an accumulation of unstable molecules that cause toxic effects to cellular components. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10755857/)

SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:

• The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) mobilizes the body's resources during stress, danger, or physical activity.

• The SNS activates the Flight - Fight - Freeze - Fawn response.

• The SNS has a major role in various physiological processes such as blood glucose levels, body temperature, cardiac output, and immune system function.

• Long-term SNS activation leads to chronic stress-induced secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters such as: dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and cortisol. Persistent overactivity can contribute to anxiety, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus; just to name a few. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympathetic_nervous_system)

EPIGENETICS:

• Epigenetics is the study of how outside influences impact gene expression, by changing the chemicals attached to them. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/epigenetics)

• Trauma and epigenetics involve the transmission of biological markers from traumatic experiences to future generations without altering the underlying DNA sequence. (This article is really good and easier to understand: https://www.oxjournal.org/epigenetic-inheritance-of-trauma-across-generations/)

• Trauma does not alter the DNA sequence itself but triggers biochemical reactions that add or remove chemical groups (such as in DNA methylation) to histone proteins, thereby switching genes on or off (gene expression). (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6127768/)

• Gene expression is the biological process by which the information encoded in a gene is converted into a functional product. (https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Gene-Expression)

• Think about genetic testing for disease markers, which analyzes DNA to identify variations, mutations, or markers that indicate the presence of a genetic disease, the risk of developing a future condition, or susceptibility to infectious diseases. These markers can be present but may be dormant, meaning the potential exists but the disease is not "activated". (https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/population-health/genetic-testing)

SUMMARY:

Sin has impact. Sin harms not only us, but causes trauma to others, particularly children. The Lord Designed our bodies to operate for abundant life. Sin interrupts normal body function down to the level of human DNA. Think about this. It is a diabolical scheme of the enemy to attack human DNA through sin. Enticing humans to sin, therefore traumatize each other. The model from The Fall is that the enemy entices us to sin, exploiting the weakness of human flesh, via deception. The devil is the father of lies, after all.

The science is still unfolding in this area. But recent research shows that through trauma, dormant potential diseases (possibly because of genetic mutations passed down, possibly from generational trauma?) can be activated at a genetic level. That chronic stress can cause biochemical changes that damage our bodies, resulting in disease. That basic, primary cellular function can be altered, resulting in subsequent morbidity. Not to say that all disease is caused by trauma. But this is what The Lord was Talking to me about.

We were all born into a spiritual war that started in Heaven. Whether we realize it or not. Ignorance and denial do not change Truth. Good News, though! If you are in Christ, you have defected from the enemy's kingdom of sin, trauma, darkness, death and joined The Winning Team! God has an Inheritance for you through Christ Jesus! That Inheritance includes Wisdom, Peace, Abundant Life, Rebirth, and so much more! God Desires to expose the works of the enemy and restore what the locust ate. You can read more about what God Told me about how He Wants to dismantle the rotten effects of the enemy's work: https://christyhale.org/rebuilt. Say "yes" and actively engage with Him in this process inside of you.

It's for you, saint! It's for you.

In Jesus's name,

Christy Hale