Most people think of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as something caused by a fall, car accident, or physical impact. But new research is redefining TBI entirely — and it has major implications for women. Emotional trauma, chronic stress, and prolonged cortisol elevation can create measurable changes in the brain that mimic the neurological patterns traditionally seen after concussions.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Peatross to explore the emerging science of stress-induced brain injury, why women are uniquely affected, and how emotional trauma disrupts everything from neurotransmitter production to gut permeability to hormone balance. We also discuss Jessica’s personal experience: a cascade of traumatic events, B-vitamin deficiencies, functional freeze, personality changes, and escalating neurological symptoms that eventually led to the discovery of a right-sided brain injury.
If you’ve ever felt like your brain shifted after trauma, burnout, miscarriage, chronic stress, or a toxic relationship, this episode explains why and how healing is possible.
In this article:
- What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- The New Science of Cortisol, Emotional Trauma, and the Brain
- Signs of Stress-Induced Brain Injury
- How Stress Impacts Gut Health and Neurotransmitters
- How to Heal Stress-Related Brain Changes
- This Episode Is Brought to You By
- How to Apply This Today
- Links Mentioned in This Episode
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- The new definition of traumatic brain injury and why emotional trauma can qualify as a TBI.
- How cortisol alters brain structure, including shrinking the hippocampus and impairing neuroplasticity.
- The stress pathway: how epinephrine triggers norepinephrine release in the brain, rewiring emotional memory and fear circuits.
- Why women under chronic stress often enter functional freeze, losing motivation, joy, and emotional flexibility.
- How miscarriage, legal battles, relationship stress, and burnout can create neurological patterns similar to concussion.
- The neurological signs of stress-related brain injury, including one-sided headaches, vision changes, eye asymmetry, vertigo, and personality shifts.
- Why cortisol, inflammation, and trauma contribute to leaky gut and leaky brain, leading to bloating, rashes, histamine issues, depression, and emotional overwhelm.
- Jessica’s striking lab findings — including an MCV of 106, low vitamin D, and elevated inflammatory markers — and why stress disrupts nutrient absorption.
- How cortisol interferes with neurotransmitter production and contributes to brain fog, irritability, mood swings, rage, insomnia, and anxiety.
- The 12-month trajectory of neurological recovery: what improves first, what takes time, and which therapies made the biggest difference.
- The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neurofeedback, red light, meditation, B vitamins, omega-3s, antioxidants, and gut repair in restoring brain health.
- Why supportive relationships and emotional safety are biologically essential for hormone balance and nervous system regulation.
The New Science of Cortisol, Emotional Trauma, and the Brain
For decades, emotional trauma was considered purely psychological. Today, brain imaging reveals a different story: emotions can create physical changes in the brain.
During a traumatic or overwhelming event, adrenaline floods the body. While adrenaline cannot cross the blood–brain barrier, the vagus nerve signals the brain to release norepinephrine. This chemical affects the limbic system, emotional memory, and fear centers, leaving a structural imprint of the event.
Chronic cortisol elevation compounds the problem by:
- reducing hippocampal volume
- slowing neuroplasticity
- decreasing oxygenation
- impairing neuronal signaling
- increasing neuroinflammation
- disrupting memory formation
- affecting emotional regulation and decision-making
Women often experience these effects more intensely due to hormonal fluctuations, immune differences, and higher cumulative stress loads. These changes are biological, measurable, and reversible.
Signs of Stress-Induced Brain Injury
Women may experience:
- persistent or one-sided headaches
- vision changes or eye asymmetry
- depression or sudden suicidal ideation
- vertigo or imbalance
- irritability, rage, or emotional volatility
- difficulty making decisions
- emotional numbness or a shut-down state
- unexplained weight gain
- histamine symptoms, such as rashes or itching
- gut issues, including bloating and food sensitivities
- severe fatigue despite normal labs
- loss of motivation
- difficulty recovering after stress or trauma
These symptoms are neurological in nature, not personal failings.
How Stress Impacts Gut Health and Neurotransmitters
Cortisol influences not only the brain but also digestion, immunity, and neurotransmitter production.
Gut permeability
Jessica’s lab results revealed calprotectin levels above 300 and elevated zonulin, clear indicators of gut inflammation and permeability.
Neurotransmitter disruption
An MCV of 106 signaled significant B-vitamin dysfunction, impairing neurotransmitter synthesis and worsening depression and emotional instability.
Hormone imbalance
Cortisol can dysregulate estrogen and progesterone, worsening mood symptoms such as PMDD.
Histamine overload
Histamine surges can produce rashes, itching, swelling, irritability, and anxiety.
How to Heal Stress-Related Brain Changes
1. Brain-directed therapies
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
- Neurofeedback
- Cold laser therapy
- Interactive metronome
- Red light therapy
- Meditation and guided breathing
2. Nutrient repletion
3. Gut and liver support
- Castor oil packs
- Bitters
- Sauna therapy
- Bile-supportive herbs
- Strategies that support drainage and detoxification systems
4. Hormone evaluation and support
- Cortisol patterns
- Estrogen and progesterone balance
- Bioidentical hormone therapy when indicated
5. Nervous system regulation
- Breath practices
- Vagal toning
- Somatic therapy
- Trauma-informed modalities
- Reducing or ending toxic relationships
- Creating environments of safety
6. Community
Supportive relationships reduce inflammation and improve hormone function. Community is not optional; it is physiological.
This Episode Is Brought to You By
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How to Apply This Today
These are simple, evidence-supported steps you can implement immediately to lower cortisol, support brain function, and begin reversing stress-related neurological symptoms.
1. Practice two minutes of controlled breathing
Slow, diaphragmatic breathing (four seconds in, six seconds out) activates the parasympathetic system and reduces cortisol within minutes.
2. Stimulate your vagus nerve
Humming, gargling, cold exposure to the face, and intentional breathwork all improve vagal tone, which supports emotional regulation and gut–brain communication.
3. Add omega-3 fats to your meals
EPA and DHA support neuroplasticity, reduce neuroinflammation, and protect cell membranes essential for cognitive function.
4. Increase your B-vitamin intake
Foods like salmon, eggs, leafy greens, and fortified nutritional yeast support neurotransmitter synthesis and correct stress-related deficiencies.
5. Prioritize one brain-regulating habit at night
Choose a calming practice such as meditation, legs-up-the-wall, gentle stretching, or dimming lights an hour before bed to help repair cortisol rhythms.
6. Reduce one major source of stress or overstimulation
This may mean declining a commitment, muting a toxic communication thread, limiting news exposure, or giving yourself permission to rest without guilt.
7. Support gut repair through simple changes
Add one digestive-friendly step such as eating 2–3 servings of cooked vegetables daily, using a digestive bitter before meals, or pausing eating three hours before bed.
8. Hydrate strategically
Dehydration worsens headaches, fatigue, and cognitive fog, all of which are amplified under stress. Add electrolytes or mineral-rich salt to at least one glass of water daily.
9. Get sunlight within the first hour of waking
Morning light anchors your circadian rhythm, regulates cortisol, improves mood, and supports mitochondrial function.
10. Add one physical activity that raises your heart rate
This may be a brisk walk, dancing in your kitchen, or a short workout. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and lowers inflammatory signaling.
11. Connect with one supportive person
A five-minute conversation with someone who feels safe lowers inflammatory markers and regulates the limbic system more effectively than many internal practices.
12. Choose one nervous system “reset” technique for the next week
Commit to a small, consistent practice — like journaling, a five-minute meditation, a somatic shake, or progressive muscle relaxation — to begin rewiring stress patterns.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
- Dr. Jessica Peatross’s Instagram: @dr.jess.md
- Dr. Jessica Peatross’s Website: dressed.com
Related Episodes
- Brain Fog Treatment: What’s Really Behind It and How to Get Your Clarity Back: Discover the hidden hormonal, inflammatory, and metabolic triggers behind brain fog and the evidence-based strategies that restore mental clarity.
- Why You Need to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve Daily for Brain and Gut Health | Dr. Navaz Habib: Learn how daily vagus nerve stimulation can rebalance your nervous system, improve digestion, and support long-term brain health.
- The Hidden Brain Risk Every Woman Over 30 Needs To Know | Max Lugavere: Understand the often-overlooked brain changes that begin in your 30s and the lifestyle shifts that protect memory, mood, and cognitive aging.
- What Is a TSH Lab Test? Decode the Thyroid Numbers Your Doctor Overlooked: Gain a clear explanation of what TSH really measures, why it often isn’t enough, and how to interpret your thyroid labs with confidence.
- What Your Chronotype Reveals About Your Hormones, Sleep, and Energy | Dr. Elisa Sacal: Find out how your natural chronotype shapes your hormones, mood, metabolism, and sleep—and how to structure your day for better health.
- The Loneliness Epidemic Is Worse Than You Think | Neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein Explains: Learn how loneliness rewires the brain, disrupts hormones, increases inflammation, and why social connection is essential for long-term health.
- Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes, Brain Fog & Sleepless Nights: Learn how loneliness rewires the brain, disrupts hormones, increases inflammation, and why social connection is essential for long-term health.
Key Terms and Concepts Explained
These definitions help both readers and Google understand the scientific foundations discussed in this episode. They strengthen your E-E-A-T signals and improve topical authority for women’s hormone and brain health queries.
Cortisol
A stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands that influences metabolism, inflammation, mood, memory, and the body’s fight-or-flight response. Chronic elevation can impair hippocampal volume and disrupt hormone balance.
Hippocampus
A brain structure involved in memory formation, learning, and emotional regulation. High cortisol levels can shrink the hippocampus over time, contributing to brain fog, forgetfulness, and mood changes.
Neuroinflammation
Inflammatory changes within the brain driven by stress, trauma, infection, toxins, or gut dysfunction. Neuroinflammation contributes to headaches, mood disorders, brain fog, and cognitive decline.
HPA Axis (Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis)
The communication loop between the brain and adrenal glands that governs stress responses. Chronic stress dysregulates the HPA axis, leading to cortisol imbalances and hormonal shifts.
Norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter released in the brain that controls attention, alertness, and emotional memory. During trauma, norepinephrine imprints fear and stress patterns into neural circuits.
Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
A hormone released during acute stress. It does not cross the blood–brain barrier, but it signals the brain to release norepinephrine, leading to long-term emotional and neurological changes.
Functional Freeze
A survival state where the nervous system becomes overwhelmed, leading to numbness, shutdown, loss of motivation, emotional blunting, and difficulty initiating tasks.
Vagal Tone
A measure of how well the vagus nerve regulates heart rate, digestion, inflammation, and emotional stability. Higher vagal tone supports resilience; lower vagal tone is linked with anxiety and gut issues.
Gut–Brain Axis
The bidirectional communication network between the digestive system and the brain. Stress disrupts this pathway, increasing gut permeability, inflammation, and mood symptoms.
Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)
A breakdown in the gut lining that allows inflammatory molecules to pass into the bloodstream. Stress, cortisol, and trauma can worsen permeability, affecting brain function.
Leaky Brain (Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability)
A compromised protective barrier around the brain, allowing inflammatory substances to enter. This can amplify anxiety, headaches, irritability, and brain fog.
Microglia
Immune cells in the brain responsible for clearing debris and maintaining neural health. Chronic stress activates microglia, contributing to neuroinflammation.
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)
A blood marker that measures the size of red blood cells. Elevated MCV can indicate B12 or folate deficiency, both of which impair neurotransmitter synthesis and brain health.
Zonulin
A protein that regulates intestinal permeability. Elevated zonulin levels indicate a compromised gut barrier, often seen in stress, trauma, food sensitivities, and inflammation.
Calprotectin
A marker of gut inflammation measured through stool testing. High levels signal intestinal stress, which is closely tied to brain inflammation.
Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to rewire, heal, and form new connections. Supporting neuroplasticity is foundational for recovering from stress-related brain changes.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
A therapeutic technique that increases oxygen delivery to tissues, supporting neuroplasticity, reducing inflammation, and improving brain recovery.
Neurofeedback
A brain-training therapy that helps regulate abnormal brain wave patterns often seen after trauma, chronic stress, or neurological injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Chronic stress, emotional trauma, and prolonged cortisol elevation can alter brain structure and function, particularly in regions involved in memory, mood, and emotional regulation.
Research shows that emotional trauma can create overlapping neurological patterns seen in post-concussive syndrome.
Hormonal cycles, immune differences, and higher stress burdens increase susceptibility to stress-related neurological changes.
Jessica experienced significant improvements within several months and full recovery after approximately one year.
Yes. With targeted therapies and lifestyle support, the brain can recover through neuroplasticity, improved oxygenation, and nervous system retraining.