Why people recommend it
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel A. Van der Kolk is a prominent psychological non-fiction book that explores how trauma profoundly impacts both the mind and physical body. The book has garnered significant attention across numerous podcasts, including This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, where guests like Dr. Tara Swart and Blair Socci discussed the concept that talking therapy has limitations because deep-seated trauma is physically stored within our biological systems. On Huberman Lab, the host analyzed the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, clarifying that while trauma is experienced physically, it fundamentally involves the activation of shared neural circuits encompassing both the brain and the body. Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett also appeared on Huberman Lab to offer a critical perspective, cautioning against the oversimplification that all physical pain stems from somaticized trauma. Additionally, hosts on ChooseFI and The Daily Stoic referenced the text to explore the vital connections between past experiences, stress, and overall physical and mental well-being. The persistent popularity of Van der Kolk's work across diverse conversational platforms highlights its enduring cultural impact in helping audiences recognize, understand, and address the lasting physiological traces of emotional distress.
Who recommended it
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 8
“But I find that there's a limit to where talking therapy can go, and that is trauma that's stored in the body, which you're not even consciously aware of. Have you heard of that book, 'The Body Keeps the Score'? Yeah, it was written in the '70s, but it's back on the bestseller list, which gives me hope that more”
“And back to Bessel van der Kolk, when I read this word in his book "The Body Keeps the Score," Alexia.”
“There’s a catchy book title, but with all due respect to, I think, the important work of Vander, that oversimplification led folks to believe their back pain was trauma and not all trauma is somaticized.”
“And I think about a famous book that came out a couple of years back: The Body Keeps the Score.”
“Have you read the book 'The Body Keeps the Score'?”
“Many may have heard of the book 'The Body Keeps the Score,' which suggests that trauma can be stored in the body; however, it is important to clarify that traumas aren't actually stored in the body itself. What is stored are the activations of neural circuits that include both the brain and body, which center around a brain structure called”
“I'm glad you referenced some of those books; one such book is called 'The Body Keeps the Score.'”
“Um, but yeah, I started reading a book, it's a famous one called 'The Body Keeps the Score', and it's basically the premise is about how trauma is stored in our bodies.”