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How Do ACEs Work?

Published in Childhood Trauma Effects 2 mins read

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) work by creating toxic stress during crucial developmental periods, which can fundamentally alter the brain and body's stress response systems.

Understanding ACEs

ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. According to the provided reference, these can include:

  • Violence
  • Abuse
  • Growing up in a family with mental health problems
  • Growing up in a family with substance use problems

These experiences are not just isolated incidents; their impact stems from their potential to trigger a state known as "toxic stress."

The Impact of Toxic Stress

The body's natural stress response system is designed to help us handle immediate threats ("fight or flight"). In normal situations, stress hormones rise during a challenge and then return to baseline when the threat passes.

However, chronic or severe stress from ACEs, without adequate support from caring adults, can become toxic. Toxic stress from ACEs can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress.

How This Change Happens

Prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol can impact developing brain structures, particularly those involved in:

  • Stress Regulation: Areas like the prefrontal cortex (decision-making, regulation) and the amygdala (fear processing) can be affected, potentially leading to an overactive stress response system.
  • Emotional Processing: Changes can make it harder to manage emotions and react appropriately to situations.
  • Learning and Memory: The hippocampus, vital for learning and memory, can also be vulnerable to the effects of toxic stress.

This altered development means the body might remain in a heightened state of alert, even when there is no immediate danger.

Long-Term Effects

Because the stress response system is fundamental to many bodily functions, changes caused by toxic stress from ACEs can have wide-ranging effects on physical and mental health throughout a person's life. The body becomes wired to react strongly to stress, which can contribute to various health issues later on.

In essence, ACEs work by disrupting the typical, healthy development of the body's stress management systems through the mechanism of toxic stress.