I've previously read (and taught) that we have 3 days after a trauma before the hippocampus decides whether to encode a trauma permanently, or whether to let it go.
I've seen this study below a couple of times, but it is time to share it. This study was done on mice, so does it also effect humans? Good possibility. We share a similar genome.
This study suggests we have 10 (TEN) days after a traumatic event to ameliorate the issue. Simply stated perhaps getting or receiving some kind of adequate emotional support is sufficient to let the event pass from our psyche without possibly permanently encoding and turning into PTSD. This would have all kinds of profound implications for disasters, accidents, deaths, etc. Could EFT do the trick here? Wouldn't it be wonderful to find out?
Anyway, here is the quote:
According to Anusha Krishnan at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, India:
“A new study by Indian scientists has gained insights into how a single instance of severe stress can lead to delayed and long-term psychological trauma. The work pinpoints key molecular and physiological processes that could be driving changes in brain architecture. The team, led by Sumantra Chattarji from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, have shown that a single stressful incident can lead to increased electrical activity in a brain region known as the amygdala. This activity sets in late, occurring ten days after a single stressful episode, and is dependent on a molecule known as the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDA-R), an ion channel protein on nerve cells known to be crucial for memory functions. Previously, Chattarji’s group had shown that a single instance of acute stress had no immediate effects on the amygdala of rats. But ten days later, these animals began to show increased anxiety, and delayed changes in the architecture of their brains, especially the amygdala.”
Study: Yasmin, F., Saxena, K., McEwen, B.S., & Chattarji, S. (2016). The delayed strengthening of synaptic connectivity in the amygdala depends on NMDA receptor activation during acute stress. Physiological Reports, 4(20), e13002
Remember, EFT is not a substitute for medical or psychological care. Please consult your own personal physician when you need that type of help.
Sherrie Rice Smith, R.N. (Retired)
Certified EFT Practitioner
Author of the EFT for Christians series (on Amazon)
