This article and the work described within were written and contributed by our friends at The Pocket Project.
Epigenetic Effects of Trauma Healing: A Pilot Study
In our epigenetic study with the Helmholtz-Zentrum in München and the University of Luxembourg, we are investigating the effects of the Timeless Wisdom Training (TWT) on epigenetic changes in participants. We measured the molecular impact of therapeutic interventions, using advanced DNA methylation analysis to explore potential gene activity changes related to stress, trauma, and resilience.
While the data analysis is still ongoing, first results are already out. The study examined DNA methylation changes over the course of the 1.6-year TWT program, which focuses on individual, ancestral, and collective trauma processing in a large group setting.
Initial findings revealed changes in over 3,000 CpG sites and 250 genes—many linked to nervous system function, immunity, metabolism, and cellular regulation. Although these are not known trauma-related genes, the results suggest a biological shift may accompany trauma healing practices. Participants also reported improvements in anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, and moments of deep connection. Also, epigenetic aging is predicted to slow down during training.
This research highlights the potential for long-term, trauma-informed group work to influence gene regulation and possibly slow biological aging.
The study is partially funded by the Pocket Project e.V.
Read our report here: https://pocketproject.org/collective-trauma-research/
The Sacred Story Book
We are excited to present the Sacred Story Book, a powerful testament to the courage, wisdom, and healing capacity of over a thousand individuals who have participated in our International Labs. These year-long journeys delve into the complex and often painful realms of ancestral and collective trauma, creating sanctuaries of remembrance and restoration.
As you immerse yourself in this book, you will step into a tapestry of human experience that transcends borders and invites connection. Through these sacred stories, we aim to shift from traumatizing dynamics toward communities that can hold pain without perpetuating it. This journey is not just about witnessing trauma but about experiencing and integrating its lessons toward a more compassionate future.
Inside the Sacred Storybook:
- A curated map of six major themes including Division & Belonging, Gender & Power, Systems, Jewish Identity, Geography of Memory, and Earth Connection.
- Contributions from dozens of International Lab participants, facilitators, and global communities.
- A final call to action for co-creating global healing architecture and nurturing spaces of collective integration.
- Reflections on trauma-informed activism, embodied reconciliation, and intergenerational wisdom.
Read the Sacred Story Book here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/4d01e27a7c.html