The Forgotten Hormone: Why the Mind & Body Can't Heal Without Oxytocin with Dr. Sue Carter

Many people spend years in therapy and still struggle to feel truly safe in relationships. But why is this?

The answer lies in the body. You can understand your trauma, but still feel unsafe. Oxytocin helps turn that understanding into actual feelings of safety in your body. Known as nature's most powerful anti-inflammatory, oxytocin plays a vital role in regulating the nervous system, forming secure connections, and shifting the body out of survival mode.

In this episode, Dr. Aimie is joined by world-renowned oxytocin expert Dr. Sue Carter to discuss how this hormone holds the key to healing trauma, creating genuine safety, and forming secure connections. Dr. Carter has studied oxytocin for over four decades and reveals why this hormone is essential for moving from survival to thriving.

In this conversation you hear why traditional talk therapy alone often falls short, how early life experiences program our capacity for connection, and practical tools for naturally increasing oxytocin to create a felt sense of safety in your body.

You'll learn more about:

• How early attachment experiences shape your nervous system and relationships
• The difference between vasopressin and oxytocin in the stress response
• How trauma and chronic stress disrupt your ability to feel safe, even in loving relationships
• Why oxytocin is nature's "fire extinguisher" for inflammation and chronic illness
• Practical tools to support healing and regulate your nervous system
• And more!

Whether you're a practitioner or someone navigating your own healing journey, this episode offers evidence-based insights into how your body creates its own pharmacy of healing hormones and why safety in relationships is the biological foundation for all healing

 

Helpful Links Related To This Episode:

• Want to know more about the Safe and Sound Protocol mentioned in the episode? Go here to find out more.
• Biology of Trauma book - how the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm, and how to heal. Pre-order now and, at the time of this recording, you'll get over $400 in bonuses included! Those bonuses are only for the pre-order window which goes until Sept 22, 2025. When you've already pre-ordered it on Amazon head over here to receive your bonuses.
• The 21 Day Journey - If you're ready to create a felt sense of safety in your body and experience the benefits of 26% decrease in daily physical pain, 28% decrease in sleep issues and digestive issues, 30% decrease in anxiety, depression, or want to learn how to do this for those you help - join me for your 21-Day Journey, a structured sequence of gentle, somatic-based self-practices walking you through The Essential Sequence to safely open up stored trauma in the body. 

 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 69: How Attachment Shapes Our Biology and Behavior
• Episode 77: Attachment Styles: Impact on Relationships, Health & Healing with Dr. Diane Poole Heller

 

Timestamps:

• [02:21] How Early Life Affects Oxytocin and Building Strong Bonds
• [06:07] How Oxytocin Helps People Feel Safe and Connected
• [07:51] What PTSD and Trauma Do to Oxytocin Levels
• [09:59] Why Vasopressin, Not Cortisol, Is the Main Stress Hormone in Trauma
• [12:29] How the Body Shuts Down During Trauma and Dissociation
• [14:05] Why Loving Early Relationships Are Important for Emotions
• [16:48] The Difference Between Fake Safety and Real Safety for Growth
• [20:02] Simple Ways to Increase Oxytocin
• [30:58] The Hypothalamus: How It Controls Oxytocin and Safety

Disclaimer:
By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical, psychological, or mental health advice to treat any medical or psychological condition in yourself or others. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own physician, therapist, psychiatrist, or other qualified health provider regarding any physical or mental health issues you may be experiencing. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use or misuse of the content provided in this podcast.