Ep 27. Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Addiction, Trauma, and Gut Health with Elizabeth Kipp
Gut Health, Nervous System, and Addiction: Insights from Elizabeth Kipp
In this thought-provoking episode of “Everyday Epigenetics: Raw, Real, Relatable,” I engage in a compelling dialogue with Elizabeth Kipp, a stress management and historical trauma specialist. The episode unpacks the profound relationship between gut health, the nervous system, addiction, and chronic pain, offering listeners practical tools for holistic recovery.
The Vital Connection Between Gut Health and the Nervous System
Elizabeth Kipp delves into the significance of gut health in managing stress and addiction. She emphasizes that the brain follows the nervous system, making it essential to calm heightened states to reprogram it with healthier habits. The gut’s microbiome, bustling with non-human DNA, plays a crucial role in cravings and brain functions. Elizabeth points out that sugar, often found in early-life foods like baby formula, acts as a gateway drug leading to further addictions.
Unraveling Addiction and Chronic Pain
In discussing chronic pain, Elizabeth illuminates its common link to unresolved trauma, describing how addiction often serves as a coping strategy rather than a moral failing. Addiction, particularly to substances like alcohol and sugar, creates an illusion of a solution while exacerbating underlying issues. Both Elizabeth and I recount personal stories, painting a vivid picture of addiction’s devastating impact on families and the progressive nature of these dependencies.
Breathwork as a Tool for Healing
The conversation introduces listeners to the efficacy of breathwork in calming the nervous system and fostering feelings of safety. Elizabeth shares techniques like left nostril breathing, which she uses in her practice to help manage cravings and anxiety. These simple yet powerful tools provide immediate relief and are accessible to anyone seeking to mitigate stress and gain control over their nervous system.
Hierarchy of Healing Trauma: Safety, Connection, and Belonging
Elizabeth and I explore the hierarchy of healing trauma, starting with establishing a sense of safety, followed by cultivating connection and a sense of belonging. Recognizing that addiction often leads to disconnection from self and others, we underscore the importance of community and reconnection for holistic recovery. I add that substances like alcohol can create a veil hindering consciousness, further stressing the need for connection as a vital component of healing, especially for trauma survivors.
Expert Insights and Practical Applications
Elizabeth mentions Dr. Robert Lustig’s work on the impact of sugar on the body, advocating for a very low glycemic diet to manage issues linked to excessive sugar intake. The episode also features recommendations to explore Andrew Huberman’s podcast for scientific insights on alcohol and addiction. Elizabeth’s comprehensive approach in her practice, incorporating yoga and ancestral clearing, is geared towards empowering clients to make conscious, healthier choices.
Empowerment Through Conscious Choices
Elizabeth and I emphasize the significance of making empowered, conscious choices and reframing the narrative from victimhood to agency. Elizabeth shares her journey from enduring over 40 years of chronic pain and addiction to developing the tools that enabled her healing and now help others to thrive.
In this episode, Elizabeth Kipp and I offer valuable insights and practical advice, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in holistic recovery and the profound impacts of gut health, the nervous system, and addiction on overall well-being.
** Please note this episode discusses topics of self harm
Learn more about Elizabeth Kipp: Elizabeth Kipp is a Stress Management and Historical Trauma Specialist who uses Trauma-Trained and Yoga-Informed Addiction Recovery Coaching, Ancestral Clearing®, Compassionate Inquiry, and Yoga to help people with their healing.
Elizabeth healed from over 40 years of chronic pain, including anxiety, panic attacks, and addiction. Now, in long-term recovery, she guides others to unleash their healing power, find freedom from suffering, and live a thriving life.
She is the best-selling author of “The Way Through Chronic Pain: Tools to Reclaim Your Healing Power.”