Understanding EMDR Therapy: What Happens in the Brain?
Why do certain memories feel like they’re stuck on repeat, while others fade into the background? Do those memories feel heavy? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is designed to help your brain process those “stuck” experiences so they no longer carry the same weight.
While it might sound complex at first, the process is both practical and fascinating. By looking at what happens in your brain during EMDR therapy, you can better understand why it’s become such a trusted approach for addressing overwhelming memories and emotional stress.
Your Brain's Natural Processing System
Your brain already has an incredible ability to heal and adapt. Normally, experiences are sorted and stored in a way that makes sense. Useful lessons get filed, and unnecessary details fade. But when an event overwhelms your system, that natural process can freeze. Instead of being stored as memories from the past, the sights, sounds, and feelings remain vivid.
That’s where EMDR therapy comes in. It helps unlock your brain’s processing system so those memories stop feeling like they’re happening in the present moment.
What Is Bilateral Stimulation?
During EMDR therapy, you’ll notice a key feature called bilateral stimulation. This might involve moving your eyes back and forth, hearing alternating tones, or feeling gentle taps on your hands. While it seems simple, this rhythmic movement activates both sides of your brain. Research suggests it’s similar to what happens during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the stage where your brain naturally processes memories. By mimicking that state, bilateral stimulation makes it easier for your brain to reprocess stuck memories.
Changing Your Brain's Storage System
Think of a difficult memory like a file that was left open on your desk. Every time you pass by, you’re forced to look at it again. EMDR therapy helps your brain “close the file” and put it where it belongs—back in long-term storage. The memory doesn’t disappear, but the emotional intensity attached to it fades. Over time, you may still remember what happened, but it no longer feels like it's happening again. It loses the power it had over you.
Bridging Past and Present
Another important effect of EMDR therapy is the way it links your past experiences to your present understanding. Old memories can shape how you react today, even if the situations are completely different. EMDR helps your brain create new connections, so when you think about the past, it doesn’t trigger the same physical and emotional reactions. Instead, you can view it with more clarity, as something that happened and not something that’s happening all over again.
Calming the Stress Response
When your brain gets stuck on painful memories, your body often reacts as though you’re still in danger. This can lead to racing thoughts, tension, or difficulty relaxing. EMDR therapy reduces that heightened stress response. As your brain processes the memory, the fight-or-flight alarm quiets down. You’re able to feel calmer, even when thinking about something that once caused intense distress. This is one of the reasons why so many people describe EMDR as both grounding and freeing.
Long-Term Effects
The effects of EMDR therapy don’t stop when the session ends. Studies using brain scans have shown shifts in the way certain regions of the brain communicate after EMDR. The parts responsible for emotional regulation and memory storage become more balanced. This means the benefits can extend long after the therapy is complete, giving you more control over how your brain responds to stressful reminders.
Moving Forward
If you’re curious about how EMDR therapy could help you, reach out to schedule a session and explore whether or not it’s right for you. Understanding what happens in your brain during EMDR therapy can make the process feel less mysterious and gives you the chance to feel lighter and more in control.