The scientific community is continuing to make fascinating discoveries about how our bodies respond to stress and how these responses can even be passed on to future generations. A recent study found that mitochondria—the powerhouses of our cells—can “remember” a stressor and pass this information on to more than 50 generations (Klosin et al., 2017). This phenomenon, known as intergenerational stress or intergenerational trauma, has profound implications for how we view health, heredity, and women’s resilience.
Because mitochondria are passed on exclusively through the mother, females play a central role in passing on these mitochondrial “memories.”
What are mitochondria and why are they important?
Mitochondria are small organelles in our cells that are responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). They play a crucial role in our metabolism, cell growth, and even in regulating cell death. What many people don’t know is that mitochondria have their own DNA, called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This DNA is passed down exclusively from mother to child, meaning that women play a unique role in passing on mitochondrial information (Wallace, 2018).
Mitochondria have a kind of 'memory' for stress, which affects the health of future generations.
Intergenerational Stress: How Mitochondria 'Remember' Stress
Research shows that mitochondria not only produce energy, but also respond to environmental factors such as stress. A groundbreaking study using nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) showed that exposure to a viral infection or other stressors led to changes in mitochondrial DNA. These changes were then passed on to more than 50 generations of offspring, even in the absence of the stressor (Klosin et al., 2017). This suggests that mitochondria have a kind of ‘memory’ for stress, which could influence the health of future generations.
The role of women in intergenerational stress
Because mitochondria are passed down exclusively from the mother, women play a central role in passing on these mitochondrial “memories.” This means that the stress a woman experiences can impact not only her own health, but that of her children, grandchildren, and far beyond. It’s a powerful example of how women’s experiences are literally woven into the biology of future generations.
But let’s not see this as a source of fear. Instead, we can use this understanding to celebrate the resilience and strength of women. Women have overcome countless challenges throughout history, and this research highlights the importance of supporting women in their physical and emotional well-being. By investing in women’s health today, we are investing in the health of generations to come.
The fact that mitochondria can “remember” stress and pass this information down through more than 50 generations is a powerful reminder of the resilience and importance of women in our society.
How can we tackle intergenerational stress?
While the idea of intergenerational stress can seem overwhelming, there are steps we can take to reduce its impact. Here are some evidence-based strategies:
1. Stress Management : Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can help reduce stress and support mitochondrial health (Picard & McEwen, 2018).
2. Healthy diet : A diet rich in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can help reduce oxidative stress, which is beneficial for mitochondria (Sato & Sato, 2013).
3. Regular exercise : Moderate exercise can improve the function of mitochondria and increase their ability to produce energy (Memme et al., 2021).
4. Social support : Strong social networks and emotional support can help buffer the impact of stress, which is not only good for the mother, but also for future generations (Epel et al., 2018).
The Power of Women and Mitochondria
The fact that mitochondria can ‘remember’ stress and pass this information on to over 50 generations is a powerful reminder of the resilience and importance of women in our society. It highlights how essential it is to support women in their physical and emotional health, not only for themselves, but for the generations to come.
Let us use this insight to empower women and recognize that their well-being plays a fundamental role in the health of our world. By investing in women, we are investing in a better future for all.
Love,
Leaf
References
Epel, E. S., Crosswell, A. D., Mayer, S. E., Prather, A. A., Slavich, G. M., Puterman, E., & Mendes, W. B. (2018). More than a feeling: A unified view of stress measurement for population science. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 49 , 146-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.03.001
Klosin, A., Casas, E., Hidalgo-Carcedo, C., Vavouri, T., & Lehner, B. (2017). Transgenerational transmission of environmental information in C. elegans . Science, 356 (6335), 320-323. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aah6412
Memme, J. M., Erlich, A. T., Phukan, G., & Hood, D. A. (2021). Exercise and mitochondrial health. The Journal of Physiology, 599 (3), 803-817. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP278853
Picard, M., & McEwen, B. S. (2018). Psychological stress and mitochondria: A systematic review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 80 (2), 141-153. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000545
Sato, M., & Sato, K. (2013). Maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA by various mechanisms to eliminate paternal mitochondrial DNA. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research, 1833 (8), 1979-1984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.03.010
Wallace, D.C. (2018). Mitochondrial genetic medicine. Nature Genetics, 50 (12), 1642-1649. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-018-0264-z
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