The Autoimmune Cure

1. Trauma is a Widespread Trigger for Autoimmune Disease

Time and again, I see people who disregard their trauma, yet their body tells a different story, one of physiological dysregulation that may persist and even cause disease until the underlying forces are addressed.

Autoimmunity epidemic. Autoimmune diseases, where the body attacks its own tissues, affect a significant portion of the population and are on the rise. While genetic predisposition plays a role, trauma and chronic stress are increasingly recognized as major triggers. This connection is often overlooked in conventional medicine, which tends to focus on symptom management rather than addressing root causes.

Trauma's insidious effects. Trauma, whether a major event or accumulated stress, can have far-reaching and corrosive effects on the body, mind, and spirit. It can manifest as various health conditions, including heart disease, high blood sugar, depression, and autoimmunity. Many individuals dismiss their trauma, but their bodies often tell a different story through physiological dysregulation.

The perfect storm. Autoimmune diseases often arise from a combination of genetic susceptibility, increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and a trigger, with trauma frequently serving as the trigger. This book aims to share the eating, sleeping, therapy, supplement, and alternative protocol for people who want to reset their immune systems and heal autoimmune disorders that come about from a variety of triggers, with a focus on this trauma.

2. The PINE System Connects Trauma to Autoimmunity

Trauma was lodged in his body, specifically his psycho-immune-neuro-endocrine, or PINE, system.

The PINE system. The psycho-immune-neuro-endocrine (PINE) system is a complex network that links the mind, immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system. Trauma can disrupt this system, leading to a chronic stress response that throws the body out of balance. This dysregulation can manifest as psychological overwhelm, immune problems, neurological difficulties, and hormonal imbalances.

Stress hormones and the gut. When the stress response is stuck in high alert, it can lead to an overproduction of stress hormones like cortisol. These hormones can disrupt the balance of microbes in the gut, leading to dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut). This, in turn, can overstimulate the immune system and potentially trigger autoimmune conditions.

Nervous system alarm. Cumulative stressors can cause the sympathetic nervous system to be locked in the "on" position, leading to hypervigilance, anxiety, and difficulty relaxing. The body stores trauma in the brain, stress response, hormonal control system, gut, immune system, and nervous system. All of these parts have peptide receptors that provide access and store memories of emotional information. Trauma is stored as a memory of overwhelming experience in the network.

3. Trauma Manifests Differently in Men and Women

Lifetime trauma exposure is the norm in most countries.

Different experiences. Men and women often experience different types of trauma and respond to it differently. Men are more likely to encounter physical violence and combat, while women are more likely to experience sexual abuse and intimate partner violence. These differences in trauma exposure can lead to distinct patterns of symptoms and coping mechanisms.

Internalization vs. externalization. Men tend to cope with trauma through problem-solving or reckless behavior, while women are more likely to internalize the trauma, leading to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Women also experience higher rates of PTSD and more severe symptoms.

Biological and social factors. These differences may be due to a combination of biological and social factors, including hormonal differences, societal expectations, and variations in the availability of social support. Women also experience more hormonal flux, such as pregnancy and perimenopause, which can trigger autoimmune disorders.

4. Conventional Treatments Often Fall Short

Trauma produces actual physiological changes, including a recalibration of the brain’s alarm system, an increase in stress hormone.

Pills are not enough. Conventional medicine often relies on pharmaceuticals to manage symptoms of trauma and autoimmune disease. However, these medications may not address the root causes of the conditions and can have significant side effects. Antidepressants, for example, are often only marginally more effective than placebo for trauma.

Talk therapy limitations. Traditional talk therapy, while helpful for some, may not be sufficient for resolving trauma. It often focuses on cognitive understanding rather than addressing the body's stored trauma. Somatic-based therapies, which focus on body awareness and releasing physical tension, may be more effective for trauma resolution.

A novel approach. True and lasting healing requires a different way of working with your psychological and biological material, in a way that incorporates the wisdom of the body, rather than skipping over it. This involves addressing the root causes of trauma and dysregulation through a combination of lifestyle changes, mind-body therapies, and potentially psychedelic-assisted therapy.

5. Body Awareness is Key to Healing

Integration arises from intimacy with our emotions and our bodies, as well as with our thoughts.

Reconnecting with the body. Embodiment, the lived experience of engagement of the body with the world, is a crucial aspect of healing from trauma and autoimmunity. Many people with these conditions have learned to disconnect from their bodies as a coping mechanism. Reconnecting with the body involves cultivating awareness of physical sensations, emotions, and needs.

The embodiment questionnaire. Assessing your current level of embodiment can be a helpful starting point. This involves reflecting on your ability to feel safe in your body, trust your bodily cues, and respond to your needs for nourishment, rest, and movement.

Practices for embodiment. Various practices can help cultivate body awareness, including body scan meditations, breathwork exercises, and somatic therapies. These practices can help you tune into your inner landscape and release stored trauma.

6. Testing Helps Uncover Hidden Imbalances

You were a disease without name, I was a body gone flame.

Beyond symptoms. While symptoms provide valuable clues, testing can help uncover hidden imbalances that may be contributing to autoimmune disease. This includes blood tests to assess inflammation, autoantibodies, hormone levels, and nutrient deficiencies.

Functional testing. Functional medicine clinicians often use more comprehensive testing to assess gut health, microbiome composition, and other factors that may be contributing to immune dysregulation. These tests can help create a personalized treatment plan.

The gradient effect. Autoimmunity is not an on/off switch but a gradient from health to disease. Testing can help identify preclinical autoimmune disease, allowing for early intervention and prevention.

7. Nutrition Can Modulate the Immune System

Scientists discovered that the diet triggers a death-and-life process for cells that appears critical for the body’s repair.

Food as medicine. Nutrition plays a crucial role in modulating the immune system and reducing inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet, rich in whole foods and low in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, is essential for healing from autoimmunity.

The elimination diet. An elimination diet involves removing common trigger foods, such as gluten, dairy, and soy, for a period of time and then reintroducing them one by one to identify sensitivities. This can help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.

Key nutrients. Certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and antioxidants, have immunomodulatory properties and can support a healthy immune response. Fiber is also essential for gut health and detoxification.

8. Sleep and Stress Management are Essential

Trauma produces actual physiological changes, including a recalibration of the brain’s alarm system, an increase in stress hormone.

Sleep's restorative power. Adequate sleep is essential for cellular repair, inflammation reduction, and immune system strengthening. Prioritizing sleep hygiene and addressing sleep disorders can significantly improve autoimmune symptoms.

Stress and the immune system. Chronic stress can impair the immune system and increase the risk of autoimmune disease. Managing stress through techniques like meditation, mindfulness, and exercise is crucial for healing.

Measuring stress. Tools like the Perceived Stress Scale and heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring can help you assess your stress levels and track the effectiveness of stress-reduction techniques.

9. Mind-Body Therapies Facilitate Trauma Resolution

In trauma recovery, we want to feel safe enough to feel activated and to know that’s not going to mean something bad is happening.

Beyond the mind. Mind-body therapies, which integrate the mind and body, can be particularly effective for resolving trauma. These therapies help release stored trauma from the body and promote emotional regulation.

Hakomi. Hakomi is a mindfulness-based somatic therapy that uses body awareness to access and integrate unconscious material. It can help rewire neural pathways and shift ingrained patterns of behavior.

Neuro Emotional Technique (NET). NET is a mind-body technique that helps identify and release stress-related conditions in the body. It involves identifying distressing events, associating emotions, and using specific techniques to release the emotional charge.

Twelve-step programs. Twelve-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, provide a supportive community and a structured approach to addressing addiction and trauma. They can help individuals develop a relationship with a higher power, establish a daily spiritual practice, and create healthy coping mechanisms.

10. Psychedelics Offer a Novel Approach to Healing

You were a disease without name, I was a body gone flame.

Altered states of consciousness. Psychedelics, when used in a safe and therapeutic setting, can offer a novel approach to healing trauma and autoimmune disease. They can help individuals gain new perspectives, process difficult emotions, and break free from rigid thought patterns.

Key psychedelics. MDMA, ketamine, LSD, and psilocybin have shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, and addiction. They work by affecting specific brain pathways and increasing neuroplasticity.

Set and setting. Preparation, set, and setting are crucial for a safe and transformative psychedelic experience. This involves creating a supportive environment, working with a trained therapist, and integrating the insights gained during the experience.

11. Create Your Personalized Autoimmune Blueprint

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Personal responsibility. Healing from autoimmunity requires taking personal responsibility for your health and implementing the strategies outlined in this book. This involves making conscious choices about your diet, sleep, stress management, and mind-body practices.

The power of coregulation. As you heal, you can become a beacon of regulation for others. Coregulation, the ability of your actions to modify the experience of another person, can help heal not only yourself but also your community.

The journey to wholeness. The autoimmune blueprint is not a rigid prescription but a guide to help you reconnect with your body's wisdom and activate your self-healing potential. It's a journey of self-discovery, integration, and empowerment.

Last updated: April 13, 2025