What occurs in the brain in relation to trauma and memory, including how trauma can affect memory.  

The word trauma refers to types of dangers that the body experiences and can be physically, emotionally or mentally. The areas of the brain that are associated with how one reacts to trauma are the amygdala, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. People respond to stress differently and traumatic stress can present lasting changes in the mentioned areas of the brain. Traumatic stress is a key to increased cortisol and norepinephrine responses to stressors as patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show increased cortisol and norepinephrine responses to stress (Mental Health Center, 2025). Furthermore, Bremner, 2006) states that traumatic stress is generally associated with increased cortisol and further states that antidepressants have effects on the hippocampus that counteract the effects of stress. 

(McAdam, 2022) posits that when trauma impacts brain it detects something threatening resulting in the brain shutting down and releasing cortisol (fight or flight). After the trauma has passed, the nervous system should go back to the rest and digest mode. However, there are cases where some people might experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this case, the body does not return to its natural state of rest, it remains in flight or fright mode and any or everything can trigger an episode or revert to the state of shock or stress. It is also outlined that after trauma, the brain changes physically telling your body that there is no safe space. There are several ways in which adaptation takes place in the brain when trauma is experienced. One, the amygdala sets off warnings by becoming more sensitive or active. It tells the body that something is wrong and sends it into a warning mode The hippocampus shrinks after trauma is experienced and can contribute to short term memory loss. It also starts to work in unison with the amygdala. Next, the prefrontal cortex responsible for higher order thinking language, planning, rational thought, shrinks and makes reasoning is harder to achieve. Next, the broader nervous system. Brain adapts to trauma to help heal and revert to safety this is done through neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity works based on how we use our brains, while trauma can cause significant brain changes, the brain can adapt and heal through neuroplasticity (Mental Health Center, 2025).