How does the brain block out traumatic events?
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The brain does something (that many researchers currently theorize to be the case) called ‘state-dependent’ learning.
Simply put, the brain stores memories in different manners based on the state of arousal it is in. If it is calm and relaxed, memories are stored one way; likewise, if the brain is excited or aroused (please no jokes), memories will be stored a different way. The brain must be in the corresponding state to access those memories respectively. This is how the brain can ‘repress’ traumatic events, as that is a state of the brain people are not functioning in throughout their day-to-day (usually).
There is a much more detailed explanation that involves amino acids glutamate and GABA and how imbalances in either one can have some pretty significant effects in memories and mood, but I admit that’s a going a little deeper than I feel equipped to talk about.
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