So, what role does memory play in the understanding and treatment of trauma? There is a form of implicit memory that is profoundly unconscious and forms the basis for the imprint trauma leaves on the body/mind. The type of memory utilized in learning most physical activities (walking, riding a bike, skiing, etc.) is a form of implicit memory called procedural memory. Procedural or "body memories" are learned sequences of coordinated "motor acts" chained together into meaningful actions. You may not remember explicitly how and when you learned them, but, at the appropriate moment, they are (implicitly) "recalled" and mobilized (acted out) simultaneously. These memories (action patterns) are formed and orchestrated largely by involuntary structures in the cerebellum and basal ganglia. When a person is exposed to overwhelming stress, threat or injury, they develop a procedural memory. Trauma occurs when these implicit procedures are not neutralized. The failure to restore homeostasis is at the basis for the maladaptive and debilitating symptoms of trauma. Peter A. Levine
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Implicit or procedural memory is a type of memory that is hard to consciously access. It does not require the conscious effort of making connections between stimuli and responses, but instead, it is activated by internal unconscious cues such as sensations and emotions. Because of this it is also sometimes described as "unconscious memory" or "implicit memory." The main way that procedural memories are formed is by repeated exposure to certain actions over time. When these actions are performed again, the implicit memories are triggered, creating stronger associations between the reaction to distress and the reaction itself.

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