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Human epidemiological studies and studies of animal models provide many examples by which early life experiences influence health in a long-term manner, a concept known as biological embedding. Such experiences can have profound impacts during periods of high plasticity in prenatal and early postnatal life. Epigenetic mechanisms influence gene function in the absence of changes in gene sequence. In contrast to the relative stability of gene sequences, epigenetic mechanisms appear, at least to some extent, responsive to environmental signals. To date, a few examples appear to clearly link early social experiences to epigenetic changes in pathways relevant for mental health in adulthood. Our recent work using high-throughput epigenomic techniques points to large-scale changes in gene pathways in addition to candidate genes involved in the response to psychosocial stress and neuroplasticity …