A study done by the CDC in the late '90s shows that there is a direct correlation between negative experiences in childhood and later health issues, both mental and physical. Also ACE has been linked to premature death. It was also shown that these experiences change the physiology of the brain.

So what does that mean in lay terms? It simply means that the worse your childhood was, the more you are likely to struggle in life with things like:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Autoimmune disorders (like asthma, eczema, allergies, cancer, MS, ALS...)
• High stress levels
• Addiction (alcoholism, smoking, drugs, sex, work, gambling, shopping...)
• Rumination, circling thoughts
• Week immune system
• Insomnia
• etc.

If you suffer from any of these, first of all, know it is not your fault and you are not the only one. Second know that it is not a life sentence. Yes, you heard me right, you can recover from any of these. Some might be more difficult and might require a lot of time and effort, but all of these are completely reversible. It's not me saying that, it's countless studies and cases that were documented. (Please also refer to the work of Dr. Gabor Mate and Dr. Joe Dispenza. You can find a ton of good information on YouTube.)

So, why then is not everybody doing this healing work? Well, in my subjective view there are two aspects here.

• The one is that we were brainwashed into thinking that only a medical doctor can help us and when they reach the limit of their possibilities, it's done. That's it, game over. I have the utmost respect for western medicine, but it does have it's limitations, because it is not looking at a human as a whole, as a system. It separates the mind from the body, the human from it's environment and regards every organ separately.
• Second, the moment we realize we have the power to heal, that kind of empowerment can be very frightening. Because in this case we ourselves are responsible for our healing, not a doctor, not God, not any outside force. We need to switch from the victim, to the powerful being that we are and that is scary. Because then we can not blame and complain anymore, but have to do the work. I've been there, I know what I'm talking about.

The participants of the ACE study would answer the following 10 questions and would get a point for each question answered affirmatively. The higher the score, the greater the possibility of negative consequences in adults.

The questions are as follows:

1. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often... Swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? Or act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?

2. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often... Push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? Or Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?

3. Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever... Touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? Or Attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?

4. Did you often or very often feel that ... No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? Or Your family didn't look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?

5. Did you often or very often feel that ... You didn't have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? Or Your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it?

6. Were your parents ever separated or divorced?

7. Was your parent or caretaker: Often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her? Or Sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? Or Ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?

8. Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or who used street drugs?

9. Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?

10. Did a household member go to prison?

So, what's your score? How do you think these childhood experiences affected you?

Whatever it is, just know that it can be healed, so the negative effects on you just stop. Schedule a free call with us, so we can evaluate your situation and define an action plan.