Evaluating evidence behind popular trauma narratives: neurobiological and treatment claims in The Body Keeps the...

Bessel van der Kolk's book The Body Keeps the Score has maintained exceptional cultural and clinical influence since its publication in 2014, remaining a best-seller and shaping public discourse on trauma. Its central claims - that trauma causes lasting neurobiological damage and that body-based treatments are uniquely effective - have been widely embraced but seldom subjected to systematic critical evaluation in peer-reviewed literature. This commentary synthesises the evidentiary basis for these claims as a counterweight to an influential narrative. It situates these findings within broader discussions of neuroscience framing, cultural appeal and evidence-based communication, underscoring the need for rigorous, balanced engagement with widely disseminated mental health narratives.