book, I prefer to use the terms “depressive feelings” and “depressive behavior” or “activity of the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve,”

A surgical operation, even though it was consciously chosen, is still an assault on the integrity of the body and, like any trauma, can leave its mark.

fighting in order to overcome the threat or fleeing to avoid a threatening situation.

It neither fit into the category of stress nor that of relaxation.

Nearly one in five women (18%) and one in seventy-one men (1.4%) have been raped in their lifetime.

the auto-nomic nervous system consists of three neural circuits: the ventral branch of the vagus nerve (positive states of relaxation and social engagement), the spinal sympathetic chain (fight or flight), and the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve (slowdown, shutdown, and depressive behavior).

Dissociation is a widespread problem. It can be characterized as ongoing activity of the dorsal vagus nerve that keeps us in a physiological state of fear. We may be present in a group but not take part in a conversation; we may be lethargic and lack empathy.

Tightening or relaxing tension levels in the eardrum, with the help of these nerves, changes the loudness of specific acoustic frequencies that pass through the eardrum to the inner ear.

several times a second. We can usually see these spontaneous micro-changes of expression in a baby or child. It is more rare to notice these changes in adults, as we are more locked into our sense of identity or moods.