Fear Memory, The Brain, And The Roots of PTSD

Why do some people develop PTSD after trauma while others recover? What if it’s not about the trauma itself, but the state of your nervous system when it happens?

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we’re joined again by Matt Bush, founder of Next Level Neuro and a lead educator in the Neurosomatic Intelligence program, for a deep dive into the latest PTSD research and how it’s reshaping what we know about trauma, memory, and healing.

We explore how traumatic memories start out as broad fear associations, and why the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are essential for integrating those experiences into coherent, time-specific memories. We break down the overlap between PTSD and CPTSD, how trauma affects neurodevelopment in childhood and adulthood, and why nervous system regulation is essential for trauma recovery.

You’ll learn how practices like somatic movement and proprioceptive training build the brain’s capacity to reprocess fear, improve emotional regulation, and create real, lasting change.

This episode offers a powerful reframe: healing trauma isn’t about reliving the past, it’s about training the nervous system to safely reintegrate it.

Topics discussed in this episode:
● Why PTSD doesn’t depend on the event itself
● How fear memories are stored in the brain
● The role of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
● Differences between PTSD and complex PTSD
● How anxiety disrupts fear memory integration
● The brain's adaptive outputs: what symptoms really mean
● Why CPTSD is rooted in relational trauma
● Cerebellum’s surprising role in emotional regulation
● Somatic tools to activate memory integration
● How movement helps rewire trauma responses
● Creating safety for nervous system reintegration

Explore the Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching program:
https://www.neurosomatic.com/leadership

Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site:
https://www.rewiretrial.com

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Connect with Matt Bush:

https://www.nextlevelneuro.com/

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Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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