This post introduces insights from links between adverse life events, epigenetics and chronic illness. It describes how this new science suggests that chronic physical diseases and other health conditions thought to be permanent may be instead be much more reversible than we’ve thought (1)“Metabolic features and regulation of the healing cycle—A new model for chronic disease pathogenesis and treatment.” Mitochondrion. Images updated November 2024. You can download this blog post as a PDF at the bottom.
The field of epigenetics looks at the effects of molecules that attach to genes in order to direct, guide and otherwise alter their function. Our genes don’t change, but their behaviors do. The field of epigenetics looks at a natural process that directs and guides genes to turn on and off as a normal part of bodily function.
The field of epigenetics started maybe 10-15 years ago, and is gaining momentum.
I had many questions about links between epigenetics and chronic illness when I heard about it over the years and cruised around the web with the following types of questions in mind:
- Do we know if epigenetics plays a role in specific chronic illnesses, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)?
- Does trauma affect epigenetics (referred to as our epigenome)?
- Do events during pregnancy, birth and infancy influence epigenetics?
- Can epigenetic changes be passed on to future generations?
- Are epigenetic changes reversible?
- Can psychotherapy reduce or reverse epigenetic changes?
I was astounded when I discovered that the answers are Yes, Yes, and Yes. To ALL these questions.
Kind of awe-struck. Like a kid at Christmas with a new toy. I had more trouble sleeping than usual because the information was adrenaline-inducing and earth-shattering. Researchers seem to be feeling the same way.
Links between epigenetics and chronic illness offer clues that explain how life events affect risk for chronic illness. They also explain why such effects are not psychological.
The Difference between Genetics and Epigenetics
Chronic illnesses of all kinds, including autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, have increasingly been found to be the result of interactions between genetic and environmental factors. As I’ve described in my post summarizing the science linking chronic illness and trauma, environmental factors can include stressful and traumatic events: in prenatal life, in childhood, and even in the lives of our ancestors. Other nongenetic risk factors include insecure attachments and stressful relationships between parents and their children in early life. And risk for chronic illness can also be influenced by diet, infections, and toxins, among other factors.
Environmental factors are what intrigue me. These are factors that I have a chance of influencing. I keep thinking that there must be changes I can make in my life and in my own environment to reduce my symptoms. Or, better yet, to recover fully from chronic fatigue and the related symptoms. I’m beginning to think that epigenetics may help explain HOW this great desire might be reasonable. It suggests that working with factors that are within my control may actually be valid, and even effective. Even if they do seem to be (very) long-term endeavors. Approaches I’m working with include ongoing trauma therapy; working with the effects of prenatal, birth and early life events; looking at and working with my geneology; and changing my diet.
This field seems completely relevant and useful in the evolution, and possible reversal, of chronic illnesses of all kinds. So here’s my first stab at explaining what I’m learning about epigenetics and my initial understanding of how it works.
Genes affect Chronic Illness through Mutations
Genes are responsible for creating all of the proteins in our bodies, and these proteins have functions in every process that takes place within our cells (see an intro to genes on wiki and more about proteins on wiki). Genes are made up of DNA. The image above shows two strands of DNA connected through nucleotide bases, which are represented by the black bars. (Does this image bring back any memories of biology class? or maybe it just looks like a fish).
Genetic factors that affect risk for chronic illness are the result of mutations within DNA, and can be passed down through the generations. A mutation occurs when one base is replaced by another or when multiple bases are replaced (see more info on genes on wikipedia). These changes occur within the DNA itself. When genes are copied, each new gene acquires this same mutation. Every new cell gets this mutation too.
Epigenetics alter Gene Behaviors
In contrast to genetic changes, epigenetic changes take place on or outside of the gene. The changes do not replace the actual components of DNA, as mutations do (2).
The effect of epigenetics is to change how a gene behaves without changing the gene itself.
The most common way in which epigenetics affects gene behavior is through the addition of “methyl groups,” as demonstrated below. Methyl groups consist of one carbon and 3 hydrogen atoms and attach through chemical bonds. The DNA segment on the right is said to be “methylated” (3).
The concept of the methyl group seems much less daunting to me now. And when I see it in research articles that I’m skimming, it has some meaning.
Methylation is one process that changes a gene’s behavior according to experiences we have in life. Researchers are learning a great deal about these methyl groups and here’s a list of some of the qualities that seem applicable to chronic illness.
8 Characteristics of Epigenetics
Environment. The level of activity of our genes, and the degree of methylation that occurs through epigenetics, is determined by environmental factors (4). These include:
- emotions
- stress
- adversity & trauma, including adverse childhood experiences or “ACEs” (5), (6), (7)
- infections
- toxins
- drugs and medications
- diet
- exercise
- The Environment alters gene function through epigenetics, as above.
- Level of Activity. Methyl groups affect whether a gene is highly active, slightly active, or turned off completely. The activity of genes affects our bodies and physiologies, as well as our behaviors and emotions. Methylation is one way that epigenetics influences our nervous systems and how we respond to stress (8).
- Quantity. Having more methyl groups generally makes a gene less active (9). This characteristic is consistent with the cumulative effects of trauma, where greater exposure affects the intensity and severity of symptoms, as well as the rate of onset of a chronic illness (described in The Chronic Illness Model under Trauma #2: compounding).
- Location. The effects of methyl groups can influence genes at locations quite distant from where they are attached (10). This is how gene regulation affects hormones and receptors in the brain, for example, which in turn affects the regulation of distant organs, such as the adrenals in the belly.
- Development. All of our cells carry the same genes, but different genes are active in different cells. As we grow a body from the starting point of a single-celled egg, methyl groups are what guide development. They determine which cells become heart tissue, liver cells, brain cells and other tissues. This is relevant to the impact of life events during the prenatal period and in early life, when organ systems are going through critical periods of development and influenced by a mother and fetus’ life experiences (described in The Chronic Illness Model under Development and Relationship #1: critical periods).
- Measurement Tool. The measurement of methyl groups is being used by researchers to evaluate effectiveness of treatment. A 2013 study, for example, treated combat veterans for PTSD with short-term psychotherapy (11). The veterans who no longer had PTSD after treatment showed a decrease in methyl attachments on specific genes compared to levels before treatment. The veterans who improved also had fewer methyl group attachments than the veterans who did not.
- Reversibility. As noted in Yehuda’s (12)study above, epigenetic modifications are potentially reversible (13).
- Transgenerational. The effects of environmental factors can be transmitted to the egg and sperm, and can affect multiple future generations. These effects can decrease as well as increase risk of chronic illness in these future generations. One study found protective effects of diets high in methyl groups (called methyl donors) in a study of mice prone to cancer and diabetes. These studies are described, along with some of the other characteristics described above, in a great introductory article in Discover Magazine, “DNA is not Destiny” (14 from 2006. The diet isn’t very detailed in the article other than to mention beets, onions, and garilc as being methyl-rich, so I’ll write more in a future post when I learn more.
Epigenetics and Chronic Illness
The role of trauma in the shaping of disease is much more powerful – and unrecognized – than we have acknowledged.
The study of epigenetics is showing important mechanism by which life experiences affect how our genes behave and why it’s not psychological.
Epigenetic changes have been found to be reversible, at least some of the time, even with a seemingly indirect treatment such as psychotherapy.
So the question becomes, if epigenetic changes are reversible, might chronic illnesses be reversible as well?
In future posts I’ll look at some of the other questions I have about the role of epigenetics in chronic illness, including:
- the role of prenatal, birth, and early life events
- the effects of trauma in childhood
- how stress and trauma in babyhood affect risk for chronic illness (ABEs)
- findings about ME/CFS and other chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
Are there any particular life experiences that affected your risk for chronic illness? Have you tried anything that has helped with your symptoms or disease?
Resources
Free ebooks for more on trauma and chronic illness
Books and Therapies for Healing Nervous System Perceptions of Threat
Brain Plasticity and Chronic Illness
Chronic Illness and Trauma: Summary of the Science
References
“Epigenetics: How Environment Shapes our Genes (15),” by Richard C. Francis. Much of the information in this post comes from this book.
Read this Post in a PDF
The form will download momentarily.
References
Oh boy! You really set me off with this one. I could write a book, both about my own life and several of my friends who are also struggling with chronic illness and fatigue syndrome, and how so many of these factors have definitely been part of it.
Let me settle down, put down some thoughts, and have shared with a couple of friends who really have so much to contribute.
Thanks for this…it’s wonderful you are doing this work!
Hi Patte,
Sounds like this topic has us both going! Identifying and listing these factors also helped me feel a shift in my sneaky levels of self-blame. I’m so glad it is stimulating some thoughts and conversations!
V
An amazing field of study. I am curious whether positive environmental/emotional/psychological experiences (a) overcome or somehow compensate for damaged genetic material and/or (b) can actually reverse/repair/restore the affected genetic material. Option B would change the literature and the field of study in ways I can hardly imagine – but would be profound. Looks like this is where epigenetics is headed.
Yes!! I forgot that I had originally included this in a first (much longer) version of the post and I need to put it back in. Reversal and repair through exposure to resources and pleasurable experiences is critical to include – thanks so much for bringing this up! This supports (and probably explains) the concept of “buffers,” which can decrease risk or slow down progression of chronic illnesses in research studies. The term is introduced in The Chronic Illness Model as #5 in the first section on trauma. There will be much more to say over time. I can’t wait to look for more research on this topic as well.
Hi Marjorie,
I’ve just spent some time with the section in Francis’ book and the articles he references, and I’m not sure that the reversal is a direct result of the positive social environment (p 74 in the hardcover edition and location 1069 in the kindle). They used a drug that affects methylation and it may simply imply that reversal is possible in adults and that the epigenetic effects are not hardwired in. I don’t fully understand the article and implication of the findings. I can’t find any other research on the topic yet either, so I’m going to delay adding this info to the post. The full text of the study cited is available online Weaver, 2005, in case anyone understands the implications better than I do! I also emailed the author to see if this or other studies demonstrate reversibility through positive social environments. We shall see what is out there!
Thank you for the digging you do! Epigenetics resonates very much for me. It feels closely related to the the idea of creating new neural pathways with disconfirming experiences and working with attachment.
I also wonder about all the information coming out about genetic polymorphisms. MTHFR, etc.
I don’t know if you’re familiar with the group GAINS – The Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies. They are a great resource that feels very related to what you’re studying. Mind gains.org
When I found your blog I had a similar reaction that you had to reading about epigenetics – yay someone else out there is peeling back the layers!
Looking toward to reading more.
Kindly,
Kate
Hi Kate,
I just looked up Mindgains.org and loved how they talk about interpersonal neurobiology being a way of “looking at the whole elephant” w.r.t. early development and the influences of early relationships etc. Then I saw the advisory board – loaded with people who’s work and research have been hugely helpful to me (Siegel, Schore, Porges, Panksepp, Pat Ogden…and many who I get to learn more about!). What a great find! Thx so much for the tip and the conversation :-)
My pleasure. I had the good fortune to train with Bonnie Badenoch and I’ve done some smaller trainings with Dan Siegel, Jack Kornfield, and Sarah Peyton (you might want to check her out too- http://www.empathybrain.com)., before I became disabled.
Would love and hope to continue the conversation.
Kindly, Kate
I just looked up Sarah and saw that she also does Family Constellation work, which I’ve found very moving in working with family patterns and multigenerational trauma (aka Hellinger Constellations). Here’s to continuing the conversation along the way!
She’s really lovely. If I were able, I would like to do some constellation work with her.
I assume you’ve read Gabor Mate When the Body Says No?
I also found the works of Tara Brach and Kristin Neff helpful as well as the book How to Be Sick by Bernhard.
For whatever reason- perhaps ancestral- listening to and reading John O’Donohue pleasing to my cells. : )
I look forward to exploring the resources you’ve compiled. : )
Hi Kate! Yes – I’ve greatly appreciated Gabor Mate. It took me a year to read his book – I had to go slowly because this is sometimes such painful information to acknowledge, even when it’s my passion and area of interest and growth and learning. I read Toni Bernhard’s book and follow her blog Turning Straw Into Gold. I’ll (at some point!) have to look into the others you mention :-)
Thank you for pointing out the blog. I can’t seem to figure out how to follow or subscribe to it?
I’m so glad there are more and more resources out there, although it can be overwhelming as well. It’s hopeful to see that we are finally beginning to allow for the effects of trauma. We live in such a “boot strap” culture that seems to have created an intolerance for suffering.
I just read your post about the missing question in ACE. I’m so grateful for you sharing your experience. I too experienced this- dismissive caretaking. It’s such a seemingly subtle and pervasive damaging. I question myself all the time. I found myself overcome with shame at eight years old when I cried as my mother told me about my estranged father’s death which was later revealed to be a suicide by fire.
This is a long journey to recover, reclaim and bring love to those inner children. It takes time and compassionate presence with another to gently bring them out and show them there is another way.
Kindly,
Kate
Dear Kate,
I am so sorry for what happened in your childhood. It’s very difficult when you can’t even cry over your father’s (estranged or otherwise) death when you are only 8 years old.
Yes, it is a long journey to recover and to reparent ourselves in ways that are kind and generous and tha provide a shoulder and a place for our emotions of all kinds. I think our culture has more trauma than is recognized and it plays a role in our difficulty with suffering as well.
You can subscribe to receive blog posts by email here.
Wishing you continued healing on your journey.
Warmly,
V
Sorry for the confusion – I was referring to Turning Straw Into Gold blog. There doesn’t seem to be an option to subscribe.
I very much agree we do indeed have a lot of unrecognized and disenfranchised trauma. Which seems to only add more complexity to the trauma. I wonder about research regarding this aspect. I wonder too about what feels to me like overlapping trauma- transgenerational , cultural, etc. As if we’re tripping over each other’s explicit and implicit experiences. Looking at the patterns internal and external and waking up to the idea we are all often caught in patterns and the stories we tell ourselves about those patterns.
It’s a fascinating journey.
Thought you might enjoy this
http://onbeing.org/program/rachel-yehuda-how-trauma-and-resilience-cross-generations/7786
Kindly,
Kate
Oh! I just found a link to subscribe to Toni’s blog – here. It’s at the very bottom of the page on the right.
Yes, lots of patterns overlapping, I’d agree. And re your link – I am a huge fan of Rachel Yehuda and her work on trauma and transgenerational effects!
Dear Veronique,
I too, have suffered from Fibromyalgia, Environmental Illness, Multiple Allergies, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Fatigue, and the most debilitating is Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, and oh, chronic low back pain. I have suffered for decades thinking I was destined to be chronically ill. I’m as excited as you with the role in epigenetic possibilities. I was gifted with a strong will and drive to find my own answers. Other family members are also suffering and I began to see a pattern. For us, it seems to be multi-generational since its affecting several generations from different families. I researched family miasms and started asking my doctors ( I have several) about the possibility that my illness is not even mine. I’m doing many ancient practices in addition to Western Medicine. It’s taken a tribe to keep me headed in the right direction. Crystals Therapy, Flower Essence Therapy, Homeopathy and impacted and aided my in healing tremendously in addition to Spiritual Hypnotherapy to attempt to clear some of my “learned” belief system. Also through EFT tapping I discovered the “choking sensation” was carried forward from a multigenerational event that happened to my grandfather when he was young. Through the EFT tapping alone, with the help of the hypnotherapist (he’s seasoned and trains professionals in psychology, and medical professions) I released this from my being so I don’t suffer anymore.
We are all a work in progress when we decide to face the trauma. I commend you, and would like more information as you uncover more about epigenetics. We may be in the same place with our recovery process.
Thanks, Esse Elle
Dear Esse Elle,
Yes – we need a tribe for sure! There really are fascinating, complex layers that appear to affect health on so many levels, aren’t there? As well as support for healing from so many different directions, just as you describe.
I increasingly suspect that it’s more about what we are each DRAWN to for healing that is most helpful, rather than any particular approach although healing the old traumas seems to me to be huge. At least – that’s my area of interest! For more info on epigenetics see my series in which I’m introducing the role of life events and how they affect risk for health. The first and second posts present early life events that affect risk, and the third introduces a possible role for epigenetics for such experiences.
If you haven’t read my personal story it describes multigenerational events and others I’ve discovered as well. It’s amazing to think something our grandparents experienced can play a role in our own lives, isn’t it? The book “It Didn’t Start With You” is a fascinating read on this particular topic if you haven’t heard of it – by Mark Wolynn.
I also summarize some of the science in my free ebook (see book #1) if that helps address your question any further – the epigenetic research is starting to support all of this even if I don’t cite it everywhere.
Thanks so much for commenting and I wish you well on this remarkable journey!