In this, the inaugural episode of Return to Base podcast, we welcome Dr. Bessel van der Kolk M.D.. Van der Kolk is a psychiatrist that has been conducting research in the field of Traumatic Stress Studies for decades. He’s also the best selling author of The Body Keeps the Score.

In Return to Bases’ first ever podcast with Bessel van der Kolk, we discuss the nature of trauma, how trauma rewires the brain as a defense mechanism, and touch on various treatment options. We also discuss the recent collapse of the 20 year mission in Afghanistan.

Van der Kolk got his start treating veterans while working at the Boston VA Hospital where he observed extremely troubled veterans of the Vietnam War. Having not found any academic literature to prepare one for treating these veterans, van der Kolk began proposing studies that would examine traumatic memories and PTSD. After being rejected by the Veterans Administration, who stated ““It has never been shown that PTSD is relevant to the mission of the Veterans Administration,” van der Kolk left the VA and went to work at Harvard’s Massachusetts Mental Health Center. There he encountered trauma of a different source; namely, child abuse and family violence. It was then he realized that trauma is trauma, regardless of the method of acquirement. Since then van der Kolk has researched and advocated for alternative forms of treatment that help those suffering from PTSD. Treatments like yoga, or mindfulness, and neuro-feedback.

Sign up for Dr. van der Kolk's 4-week seminar HERE. Don't forget to use coupon code VETLIFECOMMUNITY to save $150 on registration.

This episode was made possible in part by the good AMERICANS at Black Rifle Coffee Company.