- [Narrator] We each inherit our genetic code,
our genome from our parents.
Our genome is like an instruction manual made up
of thousands of genes that tell our bodies how
to grow and develop.
But our experiences
throughout life influence the way our bodies read
and react to this instruction manual.
And this is where epigenetics comes into play.
- [Narrator] A logo for the CDC appears
featuring an abstract bird made
of human faces and profile.
An instruction manual is filled by different colored dots.
The dots transform
into puzzle pieces that form a human body.
Lightning bolts pulse around the body,
as it falls into pieces.
Epigenetics, noun.
- [Narrator] Epigenetics is the study
of how behaviors, environments, and our life experiences
can affect the way our genes work.
Just like the switches in an electrical box,
our genes can be turned on and off.
Some of our genes act as master switches,
these genes can switch other genes on or off.
Some genes have dynamic switches.
These genes switch on and off frequently
like genes that exhibit a circadian rhythm
and express changes over a predictable 24 hour cycle.
Still other genes have stable switches.
These genes remain on or off throughout life.
- [Narrator] Five main switches appear on screen.
They turn on or off.
One of the switches acts as a master switch
which activates eight secondary switches.
Another main switch acts as a dynamic switch,
only activating specific secondary switches
in a set pattern.
Another main switch is locked in place with a padlock.
- [Narrator] Epigenetics shows that social
and environmental stimuli,
the people, places, and things that a person interacts
with can switch certain genes on or off,
altering the way our brains and bodies read
our genetic code.
And these epigenetic changes can have lasting impacts
on our health, development, and behaviors.
So what does this mean in relation to ACEs?
We now know that early childhood experiences can result
in epigenetic changes.
This helps explain why early adversity is linked
to poor health outcomes and risky behaviors.
When a child's environment is filled with adversity,
epigenetic changes can cause certain genes
to switch on or off,
impacting their developmental and health trajectories
in negative ways.
Epigenetics helps us understand that even
though genes play a role,
they don't determine exact outcomes.
For instance, a child may inherit genes that predispose them
to depression or obesity, but that part
of their genetic code may never be expressed
if their environment does not cause that gene
to switch on.
ACEs and toxic stress can cause certain genes
to switch on,
enabling potentially harmful traits to be expressed.
And when harmful traits are expressed,
the likelihood that a person
will experience long term negative outcomes increases.
- [Narrator] A switch appears on screen
on top of an illustration of a brain.
The switch is activated,
changing from green to red.
Pulsing blue and yellow lightning bolts appear
around the brain.
More lightning bolts appear
around the puzzle piece human body from before.
The lightning bolts disappear into the body.
- [Narrator] Epigenetic changes have implications
for the health and wellbeing of individuals.
And for future generations, as evidence suggests
that some epigenetic changes can be passed
from generation to generation.
However, our genes are not our destiny.
When we intervene at the earliest moment,
we have the power to prevent epigenetic factors
from taking hold.
We can reverse negative outcomes associated
with ACEs and break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
- [Narrator] A bubble surrounds the puzzle piece human body.
This bubble protects the body
from pulsing blue and yellow lightning bolts.
Click the next button to proceed.