When Betrayal Hits the Body: Sleep, Stress, Hormones & Healin

When Betrayal Hits the Body: Sleep, Stress, Hormones & Healing

With Karyn Shanks, MD

Betrayal doesn’t just affect your heart and mind — it affects your body too.

In this compassionate conversation, Lora sits down with physician and functional medicine expert Dr. Karyn Shanks to explore the very real physical impact of betrayal trauma, chronic stress, and emotional overwhelm.

Together, they discuss how trauma affects sleep, hormones, inflammation, energy, digestion, nervous system regulation, and overall health — and why these responses are not signs that you’re weak or broken, but signs that your body is trying to protect you.

This episode also explores self-compassion, the stories women carry around productivity and worthiness, and how healing begins when we stop fighting our bodies and start listening to them with curiosity and care.

Top 3 Takeaways

Betrayal trauma affects the entire body — including sleep, hormones, digestion, energy, and nervous system regulation.

Your body is not betraying you. Many physical symptoms are intelligent survival responses.

Healing does not require perfection. Small moments of rest, nourishment, support, and compassion matter deeply.

Favorite Quote

“Your body isn’t broken. It’s trying to protect you.” “You don’t need to rush your healing. But you do need to take care of yourself first.”