Erase PTSD Now expands podcast conversation on trauma, health and recovery

Erase PTSD Now has launched Erasing the Silence to explore trauma, PTSD, physical health and recovery through conversations with veterans, clinicians, advocates and people with lived experience. The podcast aims to connect research and real-world stories as the organization works to reduce barriers to trauma care.

Why it matters: - Trauma, PTSD, women’s health, pain and sleep issues can overlap in ways that affect daily life, work and relationships. - Erase PTSD Now is using the podcast to push the conversation beyond a single diagnosis or treatment and into how physical and emotional health intersect. - The effort aims to reduce silence, expand awareness and make care more accessible for people affected by trauma.

What happened: - Erase PTSD Now introduced Erasing the Silence, a podcast centered on trauma, PTSD, health, relationships, treatment and recovery. - The podcast features conversations with people with lived experience, veterans, clinicians, advocates, authors and other change makers. - Coleen LaCosta, executive director of Erase PTSD Now, said people do not live in separate health categories and what happens in one part of life can affect many others.

The details: - Stellate Ganglion Block, or SGB, has drawn attention for possible PTSD symptom relief, but the procedure has a longer medical history and was not created as a PTSD treatment. - SGB has been used and studied in pain management, including conditions involving the sympathetic nervous system. - Research has also explored SGB for non-pain conditions such as menopausal hot flashes and post-traumatic stress. - A recent review of non-pain uses found evidence supporting consideration of SGB for menopausal hot flashes in certain circumstances, while noting that evidence strength varies by condition. - A multisite, blinded, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Psychiatry found a significantly greater reduction in PTSD symptom severity over eight weeks among participants who received SGB compared with those who received a sham procedure. - The researchers also noted study limitations and called for more research. - The National Institute of Mental Health says people can experience anxiety, sadness, anger, trouble concentrating and sleep problems after trauma. - Most people recover over time, but some develop persistent symptoms that interfere with daily life and may receive a PTSD diagnosis. - Some people affected by trauma never get formally diagnosed, do not seek an evaluation or do not realize their symptoms may be trauma-related. - Trauma can stem from military service, first responder work, sexual assault, childhood experiences, domestic violence, serious accidents, loss or other life-changing events. - Chronic pain, menopause and disrupted sleep can also affect emotional health, cognition, mood, relationships and quality of life. - Erase PTSD Now says Erasing the Silence extends its mission by creating a place to listen, learn, ask better questions and keep talking about topics that often stay hidden. - The nonprofit works to expand access to innovative trauma care, support research and raise awareness of post-traumatic stress.

Between the lines: - The podcast reflects a broader shift toward treating trauma as part of a larger mind-body system rather than an isolated mental health issue. - By pairing lived experience with emerging research, Erase PTSD Now is positioning the show as both an educational tool and an awareness campaign. - The focus on people without a formal PTSD diagnosis suggests the organization sees a large unmet need that falls outside standard clinical conversations.

What's next: - Erase PTSD Now will continue using the podcast to bring in new voices and new questions across trauma, resilience, pain, women’s health, advocacy and recovery. - The organization is directing listeners to learn more about Erase PTSD Now and the podcast. - The release says the podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.

The bottom line: - Erasing the Silence is designed to widen the trauma conversation from symptoms and labels to the broader links between health, recovery and everyday life.