Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
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Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
In 1994, in his presidential lecture for the Society for Psychophysi-ological Research, Stephen Porges introduced his Polyvagal Theory,
Stanley Rosenberg • Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
We should not underestimate the importance of chatting, small
Stanley Rosenberg • Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
talk, and simple social situations like eating together, having a cup of coffee, or taking a walk with someone.
Stanley Rosenberg • Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
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.
Stanley Rosenberg • Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
The third neural pathway is the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve. This pathway is activated when we face an overwhelming force and imminent destruction.
Stanley Rosenberg • Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
improve their breathing capacity and thereby increase oxygen uptake into their blood.
Stanley Rosenberg • Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
The dorsal vagus, the older of the two, is not myelinated.
Stanley Rosenberg • Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
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.