Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism

The first type of unconscious facial expression is the pattern of chronic tension, which is more or less permanent, etched into our faces with deep wrinkles and indicative of our characteristic emotional state. The second pattern, of emotional tension, is less permanent and expresses our current mood. This pattern of facial tensions remains for a w

recently, it is one of the world’s most common non-communicable health problems. COPD

the muscular system loses its tonus, and the blood pressure drops. We might faint or go into a state of shock (syncope).

Today, looking back, I realize that my sessions had left them in a dor-sal vagal state. They were not relaxed, but instead were dissociated and exhibiting 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.

Although many people talk about being stressed, a large percentage of them are not actually stressed in terms of spinal sympathetic chain activity. Physiologically, some of them are actually in a state of dorsal vagal activity (shutdown or withdrawal); in emotional terms, they are in a depressed state.

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

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.

“immobiliza-tion with fear.”