Encoded Behaviors: How Epigenetics, Trauma, and DNA Shape Our Mental Health Blueprint
What if the blueprint for how we process stress, emotion, and even trauma wasn’t just written by our life story—but by those who came before us?
In this episode of The Light Inside, we explore the intersection of biology and behavior through the lens of epigenetics, genetic predisposition, and trauma-informed mental health care.
Our featured guest, Len May, founder of EndoDNA, guides us through groundbreaking research showing how genetic expression can shape everything from stress responses to treatment-resistant depression. We’ll learn how behaviors we label as “personal struggles” may, in fact, be inherited—and how understanding our biological code can lead to more ethical, personalized, and integrative models of therapy and healing.
Together, we examine how emotional imprinting, unresolved trauma, and somatic incoherence can be passed between generations—and more importantly, how these inherited patterns can be reinterpreted, reintegrated, and transformed.
This conversation invites therapists, healers, and practitioners to go beyond surface-level care and into a deeper, evidence-based understanding of how genetics, behavior, and healing intertwine.
Key Discussion Themes & Episode Chapters:
1. Cold Open – The Inheritance of Behavior
Trauma may not begin with us—but it’s often carried by us. We introduce the concept of biological inheritance and explore how behaviors may be encoded into our DNA.
2. Meet the Guest: Len May
A pioneer in DNA-guided health and CEO of EndoDNA, Len shares his journey from ADD diagnosis to creating a precision behavioral health platform grounded in genetics.
3. Understanding the Science: Genetic and Epigenetic Testing
Explore whole-genome sequencing, pharmacogenomics, and the endocannabinoid system as tools for decoding behavioral predispositions.
4. Primary, Secondary & Ancillary Behavior Patterns
Learn how inherited markers influence emotional dysregulation, coping strategies, identity confusion, and systemic trauma suppression.
5. Ethics & Application in Trauma-Informed Therapy
Discover how to ethically and effectively introduce DNA insights into the therapy room—balancing science with empathy and agency.
6. Integrative Takeaways: How Genetic Insight Enhances Healing
We wrap up with three applied strategies for integrating epigenetic knowledge into personalized, trauma-informed care.
Core Episode Insights:
- Your DNA is not your destiny. Most genes are probabilistic, not deterministic—and can be modulated by behavior, context, and therapeutic support.
- Inherited trauma is real. Epigenetic markers can transmit stress responses, dysregulation, and trauma susceptibility across generations.
- Precision therapy is the future. Integrating genetic and behavioral data allows for more ethical, informed, and individualized treatment—especially in cases of misdiagnosed or treatment-resistant conditions.
- Pop psychology isn’t enough. Healing requires moving beyond mindset fixes and into somatic and biological awareness.
- The story of healing is written in both memory and molecules.
Featured Guest:
Len May – Founder and CEO of EndoDNA
An expert in the field of precision behavioral health, Len holds multiple patents in using DNA to guide wellness and mental health interventions. His platform provides clinicians with evidence-based, whole-genome insights to support trauma-informed treatment and pharmacogenomic alignment.
Host: Jeffrey Besecker – Behavioral Coach and Host of The Light Inside
Episode Credits:
Executive Producer: Jeffrey Besecker
Written by: Anna Getz
Guest Booking & Research: The Light Inside Podcast Team
Music & Audio Engineering: Light Inside Studios
Original Episode Concept and Research Framework: The Light Inside Think Tank
Related Resources & Links:
Len May & EndoDNA → www.endodna.com
Call to Action:
If you’re a trauma-informed therapist, coach, or mental health professional, this episode will expand your understanding of the unseen forces shaping your clients’ behaviors—and give you new tools to meet them where they truly are.
Leave us a review if this conversation sparked a new insight into your practice.
Len May
Ceo/Coach/Author
Len May, MSC
is a visionary authority in personalized medicine, revered internationally for his groundbreaking expertise in medicinal cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. As the CEO and co-founder of EndoDNA, Len is transforming the wellness landscape through patented DNA-based technology that decodes personalized genotypes, offering tailor-made health solutions. Under his forward-thinking leadership, EndoDNA has built the largest real-world efficacy database in the world, positioning the company as an unparalleled leader in precision wellness.
With over 25 years of pioneering experience and successful exits from three companies, Len is a driving force in integrating genomics and epigenetics to guide individuals toward optimized health. His work transcends theory, backed by active participation in clinical trials and contributions to peer-reviewed scientific journals, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the endocannabinoid system and genetic expression.
A holder of a Master’s of Medical Cannabis from the Institute for the Advancement of Integrative Medicine, Len’s influence spans academia, industry, and public policy. His commitment to advancing safe and effective personalized medicine is reflected in his focus on mitigating adverse effects and fostering evidence-based practices.
Len is also a sought-after speaker at premier global events, where his compelling insights and thought leadership continue to elevate the conversation on personalized wellness. His influence extends to the literary world with acclaimed works like "… Read More
