How Childhood Trauma Shapes Addiction: A Conversation with Dr. Keren Bachi
Individuals with cocaine use disorder with high childhood trauma had the least gray matter in a brain region that is called the orbital frontal cortex. It's a brain region in the frontal area of the brain that encodes the value of subjective rewards during decision making.
What if your childhood experiences could shape your future struggles with addiction? In this episode of 'The Alan Charles Show', Alan Charles sits down with Dr. Keren Bachi from Mt. Sinai's Ican School of Medicine to explore the profound link between childhood trauma and addiction. Dr. Bachi, an assistant professor of psychiatry and environmental medicine and public health, brings her wealth of clinical experience to the table, offering insights that are both eye-opening and deeply informative. Dr.
Bachi discusses how traumatic events in childhood can alter brain structures, particularly focusing on the orbital frontal cortex, which plays a crucial role in decision-making and reward processing. She reveals that individuals with high levels of childhood trauma and cocaine use disorder have significantly less gray matter in this brain region, shedding light on the long-term impacts of early adverse experiences. But it's not all doom and gloom.
The episode also highlights the importance of social support systems and relationships in the journey to recovery. Dr. Bachi emphasizes that understanding these connections can empower individuals to take meaningful steps towards healing and prevention. Whether you're personally affected by addiction, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the topic, this episode offers valuable perspectives that could change the way you think about addiction and recovery.
Tune in for a conversation that combines scientific insights with compassionate advice, making complex issues accessible and relatable.