Childhood trauma and suppressed rage can have a profound impact on our bodily functions, particularly the liver and the body's detoxification processes.
The link between trauma, suppressed rage, and liver function can be explained through several interconnected biological mechanisms:
Stress Hormones and the HPA Axis: When we experience trauma or suppress anger, our body's stress response system, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is activated. This leads to the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Chronic activation of this system due to ongoing emotional distress can lead to dysregulation of the HPA axis, which in turn can affect liver function.
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: Psychological trauma and suppressed emotions can trigger chronic low-grade inflammation in the body. This inflammatory state can increase oxidative stress, which puts additional strain on the liver's detoxification processes. The liver, being a primary organ for detoxification, may become overwhelmed, potentially leading to impaired function over time.
Altered Gut Microbiome: Emotional distress can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in our gut microbiome. This disruption can lead to increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as "leaky gut," which allows toxins and harmful substances to enter the bloodstream. The liver, responsible for filtering these toxins, may become overburdened as a result.
Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance: Trauma and suppressed rage can lead to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, favoring the sympathetic "fight or flight" response over the parasympathetic "rest and digest" state. This imbalance can affect blood flow to the liver and other organs, potentially impacting their optimal functioning.
Epigenetic Changes: Emerging research suggests that traumatic experiences can lead to epigenetic changes – modifications in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself. These changes can affect how the liver processes toxins and metabolizes various substances, potentially altering its detoxification capabilities.
The Mighty Liver- Your Unsung Hero
The liver is a truly remarkable organ that performs an array of functions essential to our well-being. It is the body's largest internal organ and has a weighty responsibility of filtering nearly 1.5 liters of blood every minute, removing toxins, and breaking down waste products. But that's not all - the liver also produces bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that helps us digest fats, regulates blood sugar levels, and stores important vitamins and minerals that are essential for our health. It's like a busy chemical factory that never shuts down, working tirelessly to keep our bodies functioning smoothly.
If we dwell in feelings of anger and resentment, our liver can start overproducing bile. This bile is often what comes up during purges with healing approaches such as Kambo and Ayahuasca where the association between buried emotions and the body's physiological response becomes very apparent.
Moreover, the liver's ability to regenerate itself is nothing short of astounding. It can grow back up to its full size even if up to 75% of it is removed or damaged. This unique feature has made it a subject of fascination for scientists and researchers worldwide, as they try to uncover the secrets of its regenerative powers. This means it is always possible for you to heal your liver!
The liver is also closely linked to our emotional and mental health. It is believed to be a storehouse of emotions, particularly those related to frustration, anger, and resentment. This connection between the liver and our emotional well-being is being increasingly studied by health professionals, and new research is shedding light on the fascinating ways in which our liver is interconnected with our overall health and happiness.
The Liver's Role in Emotional Regulation and Detoxification
One of the liver's main functions is detoxification, the process of breaking down and eliminating harmful substances from the body. Some studies have suggested that this process may also be linked to emotional health. For example, a study published in the journal Current Opinion in Psychiatry found that the liver may be involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain that regulate mood and emotion. The study suggests that a malfunctioning liver could potentially lead to imbalances in neurotransmitters, which could in turn contribute to conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Another study in the journal Clinical Psychology Review suggests that the liver may also play a role in the regulation of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is released by the body in response to stress, and prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol can have negative effects on physical and mental health. This is very common in adults who have unresolved trauma and nervous system dysregulation. The study suggests that the liver may be involved in breaking down cortisol and eliminating it from the body, and that a healthy liver may therefore be important for maintaining a healthy stress response.
In addition to its role in detoxification and hormone regulation, the liver is also involved in the production of bile, a substance that helps to break down fats and absorb nutrients from food. Studies have suggested that the liver may also be involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels, which can have an impact on mood and energy levels. For example, a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry found that people with depression were more likely to have abnormal glucose metabolism, suggesting a possible link between liver function and mood disorders. The liver has a key role in these 4 areas below which directly impact our emotional and mental well-being
Metabolism of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain that regulate mood and emotion
Detoxification, the process of breaking down and eliminating harmful substances (and emotions) from the body and brain
Regulation of the stress hormone cortisol which has a key role in our nervous system regulation
Glucose metabolism and regulation of blood sugar levels, which can have a direct impact on mood and energy levels.
Detoxification and Your Emotional Health
When the liver is unable to effectively remove toxins from our body, it can lead to an accumulation of harmful substances, which may contribute to emotional disturbances such as anxiety, depression, and irritability.
These toxins can disrupt the neurotransmitters in our brain, which are responsible for regulating our moods and emotions.
The lymphatic system also plays an important role. Lymphatic vessels collect excess fluid from tissues and return it to the bloodstream.
The lymphatic system and liver interact in several ways. The liver produces lymph and secretes it into the lymphatic vessels. This lymph, which contains proteins and other substances, is then transported by the lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes, where it is filtered and processed by immune cells. The lymphatic vessels then return the lymph to the bloodstream, and it is eventually circulated back to the liver.
The liver also plays an important role in maintaining the health of the lymphatic system. It produces bile, a fluid that helps to break down fats in the digestive system. Bile is transported from the liver to the gallbladder and eventually released into the small intestine. The lymphatic system helps to transport some of the components of bile, such as cholesterol and other lipids, back to the liver for processing.
Furthermore, the liver is responsible for filtering and removing toxins from the blood. When the liver is unable to effectively remove these toxins, it can lead to a buildup of harmful substances in the body, which can damage the lymphatic vessels and impair the immune system's ability to function properly.
In summary, the lymphatic system and liver are closely interconnected. The liver produces lymph and plays an important role in processing and filtering components of bile, which are transported by the lymphatic system. The liver is also responsible for removing toxins from the body, which can have an impact on the health and function of the lymphatic system.
You might like to read: The lymphatic network as our inner sewage system - why it matters
20 Things That Harm Your Liver
Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage, such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Hepatitis B and C: These viral infections can cause inflammation and damage to liver cells.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This condition occurs when fat accumulates in the liver, which can lead to inflammation and damage to liver cells.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing NAFLD and other liver diseases.
Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop NAFLD and other liver diseases.
High Cholesterol: High levels of cholesterol can cause fat accumulation in the liver, which can lead to inflammation and damage to liver cells.
Medications: Certain medications, such as acetaminophen, can cause liver damage when taken in excessive amounts.
Industrial Chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace or environment can lead to liver damage.
Viral Infections: Other viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus, can cause inflammation and damage to liver cells.
Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis, can cause inflammation and damage to liver cells.
Genetics: Certain genetic mutations can increase the risk of developing liver diseases.
Overeating: Consuming too much food can lead to obesity and increase the risk of developing NAFLD and other liver diseases.
Lack of Exercise: Not getting enough physical activity can contribute to obesity and increase the risk of developing liver diseases.
Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of developing liver cancer and other liver diseases.
Exposure to Toxins: Exposure to toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents can cause liver damage.
Poor Nutrition: Eating a diet that is high in fat, sugar, and processed foods can contribute to the development of liver diseases.
Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea has been linked to the development of NAFLD and other liver diseases.
High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can contribute to the development of NAFLD and other liver diseases.
Steroid Use: Long-term use of anabolic steroids can cause liver damage.
Unprotected Sex: Unprotected sex can increase the risk of contracting hepatitis B and C, which can cause liver damage.
The Liver's Role in Emotional Balance
The liver plays a significant role in regulating our emotional flow. It is responsible for processing toxins in our body, but it also has a profound intelligence that is connected to the rest of the body.
The liver is connected to the gut-liver axis, which is a direct pathway between the gut and the liver. When toxins enter our body, they can disrupt the gut-liver axis and cause cellular stress and inflammation in the liver cells.
A big part of our liver's role is to help the body drain physically, emotionally and energetically. Drainage is super important and so is being able to let go of emotions that no longer serve us. Drainage is therefore key to allowing flow or movement, and movement is central to being alive and not dead. Flow includes cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, blood as well as emotions, perception, ideas, inspiration and creativity. Everything is supposed to move and flow.
The Stagnating Effects of Unprocessed Anger
Stagnation and feeling stuck can also have a profound impact on our physical health, particularly on the liver and hormonal balance. This is especially true when it feels like we've been stuck for many years in the same place.
Trauma and emotional stress can cause the liver to become congested and sluggish, impeding its ability to detoxify the body and leading to an accumulation of toxins. This buildup of toxins can then disrupt the hormonal balance, as the liver is responsible for metabolizing and eliminating hormones from the body.
Additionally, chronic stress and emotional stagnation can cause imbalances in the production of cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. When cortisol levels are consistently high due to chronic stress, it can lead to hormonal imbalances and a host of negative health effects, including weight gain, insomnia, and even depression.
Therefore, it's important to not only address the emotional and mental aspects of being stuck and stagnant but also to support the liver's natural detoxification processes and hormonal balance.
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Understanding The Biochemistry of Anger
Biochemistry of anger refers to the physiological and chemical changes that occur in the body dur
ing an angry episode. When we become angry, our body releases a cascade of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which trigger the "fight or flight" response. This response prepares the body to take action by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.
The neurotransmitter serotonin, which is often associated with feelings of well-being and happiness, also plays a role in anger. Studies have found that individuals with liver disease may have lower levels of serotonin in the brain, which can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to increased aggression and irritability.
There are several other biochemical factors that can contribute to anger, such as:
Low blood sugar levels: When blood sugar levels drop too low, a person may experience irritability and anger.
Dehydration: Dehydration can cause fatigue and irritability, which may lead to anger.
Lack of sleep: Sleep deprivation can lead to irritability, mood swings, and increased aggression.
Imbalances in brain chemicals: Imbalances in neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been linked to anger and aggression.
Hormonal changes: Changes in hormone levels, such as during PMS or menopause, can lead to mood swings and irritability.
Why Are We So Afraid of Expressing Anger?
Many of us are deeply afraid to express our anger, and for good reason. We've witnessed firsthand the potential for anger to destroy - whether it's seeing our parents fly into violent rages or experiencing the fallout when we ourselves have lashed out in a moment of fury.
The fear of losing control and hurting ourselves or others is a powerful deterrent, leading us to bury our anger deep within.
Underlying this fear, however, are often complex emotional and psychological factors. Some of us have been taught from a young age that anger is a "bad" or unacceptable emotion, leaving us racked with shame and guilt whenever it arises.
Others may have grown up in cultures where open displays of anger are taboo, creating immense social pressure to keep our feelings locked away. And for those who experienced punishment or abuse when expressing anger as children, it's no wonder the emotion now fills them with terror.
Until we cultivate the tools to channel our anger in healthy, constructive ways, it's only natural that we would view it as a dangerous force - one that's better left unexpressed.
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Childhood Trauma, Internalised Anger & Shame
When we hold unresolved anger from childhood trauma in our body, it can have various negative effects on our physical and mental health. The body's stress response is triggered, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, leading to damage to our organs and tissues. When we have unprocessed anger we often internalise it and it creates a deep shame within. This leads to constant insecurity, low self worth and self doubt. It is very common amongst survivors of childhood trauma.
In particular, unresolved anger can have a significant impact on the liver, as it is responsible for processing and eliminating toxins from the body. The liver may become overburdened with the increased levels of stress hormones and toxins, leading to inflammation and damage to liver cells. This internalised anger can also have negative effects on our mental health, leading to symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Chronic anger can lead to feelings of helplessness, which can further exacerbate these mental health conditions.
This can impact not just our health but our family life and career as vital life force remains blocked or locked in these traumas.
Holding onto unresolved anger can lead to difficulties in interpersonal relationships with friends, our children, our partners as well as problems with communication and boundaries. It can lead to constantly self sacrificing and putting other people's needs first whilst neglecting your own, i.e people pleasing.
It is important to address and process unresolved anger from childhood trauma in a healthy and constructive way and reintegrate the nervous system through somatic therapy and other powerful healing modalities as well as your own embodied healing practices (you'll find these on my podcast)
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How the Liver Helps us Release Anger
The liver is closely linked to the emotion of anger in Chinese medicine, as it is responsible for producing heat energy to help us break free from negative emotions and situations. When we feel trapped or stuck, we often experience anger as a way to discharge the energy needed to break free. However, suppressing this anger can lead to stagnation and blockages in the liver, preventing emotional flow and causing feelings of frustration and powerlessness.
In order to break free from our own self-imposed limitations, we need to grow both deeper into ourselves and beyond our current situation. This growth requires the discharge of energy, which can be released through the emotion of anger. The liver works tirelessly to help us break free from negative emotions and situations, generating heat energy to support this process.
However, when we suppress our anger and hold onto negative emotions, the energy remains stagnant and prevents us from experiencing growth and expansion. This can leave us feeling small and powerless, which can further frustrate our inner warrior - the liver.
Understanding the natural process of growth and expansion and the role of anger as a release of energy can be helpful when working with clients. Encouraging the expression of anger can allow for the discharge of stagnant energy and prepare the body for growth and expansion. Suppressing anger can lead to the suppression of growth and further blockages in the liver, hindering emotional flow and causing feelings of frustration and powerlessness.
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How to Release Anger and Heal Your Liver
The first step in acknowledging your emotions and validating them as a natural response to what you have experienced is reassuring your body and cells that you are no longer in that situation and that it is safe to express your emotions.
This process can take time, especially if you have been suppressing your emotions for years in order to appear strong.
Acknowledging anger can be a significant internal shift for you, and may lead to a range of other emotions such as guilt, self-hatred, and feelings of weakness or failure. It is important to support yourself through this process and understand that experiencing and expressing your emotions is not a sign of weakness, but rather a necessary step in healing and growth.
1) How to Connect to the Anger in Your Body
Somatic body mapping is a powerful practice for connecting to the anger stored in your body. Here are some steps to guide you through the process:
Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can focus on your body without distraction.
Begin by taking a few deep breaths and grounding yourself in the present moment.
Focus your attention on the sensations in your body. Where do you feel tension, tightness, or discomfort?
Use your hands to map out these sensations on your body, tracing the areas where you feel anger and tension.
Once you have mapped out the areas where anger is stored, take some time to explore these areas with your hands. Notice the texture, temperature, and any other sensations you experience.
As you explore these areas, allow yourself to feel the anger that is stored there. It's okay to feel uncomfortable or even overwhelmed - this is a natural part of the process.
Take some deep breaths and visualize yourself releasing the anger and tension from your body.
Finish the practice by taking some time to rest and reflect on the experience.
By practicing somatic body mapping, you can deepen your awareness of the anger stored in your body and learn to release it in a healthy, productive way. Remember to approach the practice with curiosity and compassion, and to seek support if you need it.
You might like to try the above Somatic Body Mapping Practice or this Step by step process to identify buried emotional pain
2) How To Accept & Validate Your Anger
As individuals, the process of acknowledging and validating our anger can be challenging, especially if we have experienced childhood trauma or have a history of suppressing our emotions. It is essential for us to create a safe and non-judgmental space to allow our emotions to surface gradually. We may also need to use different techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation, or somatic therapies to help us connect with our emotional body. Our liver plays a crucial role in this process as it is responsible for processing and eliminating toxins, including the negative emotions that are associated with anger. When we suppress our anger or other emotions, it can create an imbalance in our body, leading to hormonal imbalances and other health issues. Our liver may become overloaded with toxins, leading to inflammation and damage over time. By acknowledging and validating our anger, we can release the emotional burden that we have been carrying for years. This can help to restore balance to our body and allow our liver to function optimally. As a result, we may experience improved emotional well-being, better hormonal balance, and overall better health. Recognize that anger is a valid emotion - It's important to acknowledge that anger is a natural response to certain situations and is a valid emotion to feel.
Allow yourself to feel your anger - Don't suppress or ignore your anger. Allow yourself to fully experience and express your emotions in a healthy way.
Avoid judging yourself for feeling angry - Try not to judge or criticize yourself for feeling angry. Instead, offer yourself compassion and understanding.
Express your anger in a healthy way - Find healthy outlets to express your anger, such as through physical activity, creative expression, or communication with others.
Practice self-compassion - Be kind to yourself when you're feeling angry. Recognize that you're human and that it's okay to have emotions.
Seek support - It's okay to seek support from others when you're feeling angry. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist for guidance and support.
Take responsibility for your anger - While it's important to accept and validate your anger, it's also important to take responsibility for how you express it and how it affects others.
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3) How to Start Safely Releasing Your Anger
When we experience childhood trauma and don't have the opportunity to process and release our anger in a healthy way, it can stay trapped in our bodies and manifest as physical and emotional issues later on in life. In order to release this trapped anger, it's important to create a safe and supportive space for ourselves where we can feel and express our anger without fear of judgment or retribution.
When anger is allowed to be expressed and processed in a safe space, it can dissipate relatively quickly. This releases the tension and stress held in the body and creates more space for balance and harmony to be restored. Creating a safe space for anger processing and release is an essential aspect of healing from childhood trauma and cultivating emotional wellbeing.
As a somatic therapist and healer, creating this safe container for clients to process their anger is crucial. It requires patience, empathy, and a deep understanding of the client's needs and emotions and profound stillness. There needs to be no consequence for the release of this pain and anger and no judgement. It's common for the mind to jump in and try to rationalize or suppress the sensation of anger, but it's important to encourage clients to allow themselves to fully feel and express their anger in a safe and controlled manner. Please reach out to me if you'd like support to heal and release anger.
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4) Transmuting Your Anger to Sacred Rage
When we talk about sacred rage, we're referring to the idea that energy within anger that can be a powerful and transformative force and can be harnessed to create positive change.
This is the element of fire!
When we repress our anger the fire is also subdued, we find it difficult to move forward, to bring energy and passion. and conviction to anything that we do. You may have heard that phrase 'being on fire' and maybe you even remember a time when you were, quite literally fuelled with energy, passion and purpose. The fire within you was lit. That's because you were channeling your energy not into suppressing your anger and shaming yourself but into creating something new! This is vital life force energy that is being transmuted when we heal anger and embrace sacred rage. This is what turns anger from an armour / protection mechanism to a fuel for creativity and conenction.
Physical movement
One way to channel sacred rage is through physical activities that allow us to release pent-up energy and emotion. This can include activities like dancing, running, or practicing martial arts. Exercise has been shown to help regulate emotions and reduce feelings of anger and frustration.
Creativity
Another way to channel sacred rage is through creative expression, such as writing or art. This can be a powerful way to tap into the emotions that are fueling our anger and transform them into something positive and constructive.
Vocalizing and screaming can also be a helpful outlet for sacred rage. Letting out a primal scream can release tension and pent-up energy, allowing us to feel more grounded and centered. It's important to find a safe and non-destructive outlet for sacred rage. Engaging in destructive behaviors like lashing out at others, self-harm, or substance abuse will only lead to further negative consequences.
By channeling our sacred rage in a healthy way, we can use its energy to fuel positive change in our lives and the world around us. We can become more empowered to stand up for ourselves and others, to make changes that are needed, and to create a more just and compassionate world.
What My Clients Say
"I learned to love all of me, my victimhood, the part of me that hurts myself. We realigned my hips, we straightened my spine, healed the liver, the black hole in my stomach. There was so much processing in my liver, such deep pain and releasing from it. Rivers were running through my kidneys, flushing through. I am now feeling very calm and peaceful. I disentangled myself from my parents and their trauma that they were working out on me. I cleared my space and found stillness and peace, and learned that I always have access to this. This cleared my skin from being raw all the time and not understanding why. I learned to be thankful for my body for showing me what I was not ready to look at, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We cleared a blockage on my third eye, giving me a while new level of clarity. I really learned to be open and fearless, in my work with Safa. She showed me that I am always safe, held and supported. I am at peace with what has happened, not carrying it into my new experiences." Click here to read more testimonials
Masterclass in Organ Healing
The liver is our most loyal warrior. It's the only organ in our body that will regrow itself when it gets taken down in battle. The liver is too busy to talk but when we overload ourselves with toxic situations, food, thoughts, environments and emotions it will find it harder to fight. After all it's protecting us and we're trying to destroy it. The liver shows us when we are getting in our own way, giving ourselves a battle to fight that we simply could allow to drain away. The balance between holding on and letting go is a constant dance between identity and annihilation and the liver plays a key role in that.
Herbs to Help You Heal Your Liver
There are many herbs that can help support liver health and promote healing. Here are some examples:
Milk Thistle: Contains a compound called silymarin, which has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect and repair liver cells.
Dandelion: Increase bile production, which aids in digestion and helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
Turmeric: Contians curcumin which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can benefit liver health.
Schisandra: Contains lignans which can help protect liver cells from damage and improve liver function.
Licorice Root: Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can benefit liver health.
Artichoke: Contains cynarin which can help increase bile production and aid in digestion, as well as protect liver cells from damage.
Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help protect liver cells from damage and improve liver function.
Chicory: Contains phenolics which can help protect liver cells from damage and improve liver function.
Burdock Root: Can help improve liver function and aid in the elimination of toxins from the body.
Yellow Dock: Contains anthraquinones which can help stimulate bile production and aid in digestion, as well as support liver health.
Support Your Liver & Detoxification Process with an IAMA Castor Oil Liver Pack
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