ACE score 6+ = 20 years shorter lifespan
People with an ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score of 6 or more die approximately 20 years earlier than the general population.
Snapshot · The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The No.1 Brain Doctor: "This Parenting Mistake Ruins Your Kids Brain!", "Alcohol or Marijuana Will Destroy Your Brain!", "A Stagnant Career Can Increase Your Chance Of Alzheimers!" - Dr Daniel Amen
Explore episode
Feb 10, 2025
Where this was said
Can You See Trauma on the Brain?
At 41:24 · chapter starts 39:26
Steven Bartlett asks whether trauma can be seen on a brain scan, and Amen's answer is an unequivocal yes. His world's largest childhood trauma study — based on 21,000 subjects — showed a clear gradient: the more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) a person had, the greater the activation of their limbic structures, particularly the anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's 'gear shifter.' [1] — Dr. Daniel Amen "ACE score 6+ = 20 years shorter lifespan: People with an ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score of 6 or more die approximately 20 years …" 41:24 For trauma survivors, this structure becomes hyperactive, locking them in a cycle of worry and threat anticipation — the past is always in front of them rather than behind. Amen shares that his own wife is an 8 on the ACE scale and their adopted nieces are 9s, giving his research an intensely personal dimension. An ACE score of 4 or more raises the risk of 7 of the top 10 causes of death; a score of 6 or more cuts life expectancy by 20 years. For those without access to therapy or brain scans, Amen offers a practical toolkit: prioritise sleep, exercise, and nutrition; supplement with a multivitamin, optimise vitamin D (especially for darker-skinned individuals who need 5x more sun exposure), and add omega-3 fatty acids. Most of the 50 consecutive patients measured in one Amen Clinics study were suboptimal in omega-3. These are the foundations before anything else.
Childhood Trauma Visible on the Brain: The ACE Score
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are directly visible on brain scans: higher ACE scores mean greater activation of the limbic system and the anterior cingulate gyrus, trapping people in a state of hypervigilance. A score of 6 or more cuts life expectancy by 20 years.
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