Have you ever wondered why some people seem to carry their pain not just in their minds, but in their bodies too? Or why others, despite difficult upbringings, find ways to thrive while some feel weighed down by a past they can’t quite explain? Maybe the answer lies not only in our upbringing or personality—but in our biology, shaped by life itself.
I often think of epigenetics as our body’s invisible journal—constantly being written in response to our environment, experiences, and emotions. It’s not just about the genes you inherit; it’s about how life writes on those genes.
Epigenetics: The Symphony of Nature and Nurture
Epigenetics is the science of how experiences influence gene expression—without changing the DNA itself. Think of it like dimming the lights in a room: the bulb (our genes) stays the same, but its brightness (gene expression) changes. And guess what dims or brightens those switches? Life. Stress. Trauma. Love. Even therapy.
For instance, one powerful epigenetic mechanism—DNA methylation—has been linked to various mental health conditions. When stress shows up too early or too often, it can increase methylation of genes like NR3C1, involved in our stress response system. That’s like teaching your body to stay in survival mode long after the danger has passed.
Let me ask: have you ever felt like you’re overreacting to something small, but deep down, your body feels like it’s at war? That might not be “just anxiety.” It could be your biology carrying an imprint of the past.
From Trauma to Treatment: Can Therapy Change Your DNA?
Yes, it can - at least in part. Studies show that psychotherapy, especially trauma-focused approaches like Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), can actually shift DNA methylation patterns in stress-related genes. It’s as if the body is finally releasing what it no longer needs to carry.
One study on PTSD patients found that those who improved through therapy also showed epigenetic changes in NR3C1. Their inner stress thermostat—the HPA axis - seemed to reset. Isn't it incredible to think that healing the mind can quite literally rewrite the body’s script?
The Body Remembers, but So Does the Immune System
Chronic stress doesn’t just stay in your head—it shows up in your immune system too. Inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF-α rise with depression and trauma. The result? A body caught in a constant loop of defense. This is where epigenetics comes in again—shaping how your body reacts, adapts, and even ages.
But there's hope. Practices like meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, and even acts of kindness can reverse harmful gene expressions linked to inflammation. What if your next mindful breath wasn’t just calming you down—but altering your molecular future?
From Archetypes to Expression: A Jungian Lens
When we bring Jungian psychology into this conversation, something beautiful happens. Archetypes—those universal patterns of thought and behavior—might find a biological mirror in epigenetic memory. We inherit more than eye color or temperament; we inherit emotional echoes, societal imprints, and ancestral wounds.
But healing is possible. Psychotherapy becomes a space where we don’t just reframe stories—we may literally rewrite the body’s internal narrative. Isn’t that a profound form of self-compassion?
Anxiety, Depression, and the Power of Resilience
Not everyone exposed to trauma develops mental illness. Why? The answer might lie in resilience factors - social support, healthy relationships, secure attachments, and personal traits like conscientiousness. These don’t just protect the psyche; they may influence epigenetic expression too.
One study found that even positive life events can change gene expression. Your environment, even in adulthood, still matters. So ask yourself - what kind of environment are you cultivating for your emotional genes today?
Therapy and Lifestyle as Epigenetic Tools
Science now shows that therapy isn’t just emotional—it’s biological. CBT, mindfulness, EMDR, and expressive practices can all help change gene expression. Even your friendships, your diet, your physical activity—these are tools of transformation at the deepest level.
Imagine a world where treatment is not just about fixing what’s broken, but unlocking the potential that stress once buried. Isn’t that worth exploring?
We Are Not Just Born—We Are Built
This journey into epigenetics reminds us that we are not just born—we are built. By life. By loss. By love. But most importantly, by choice. Our stories may start with genes, but how we continue to write them… that’s where therapy - and hope - comes in.
If you’ve ever wondered whether healing goes deeper than words, know this: the answer is already in you. Quite literally.
Written by Alice Bertoldo, Fung Tsoi Lam Christel and Amanda Prudencio Rebeschini