Join Dr. Stephen Porges, a distinguished scientist and professor known for his groundbreaking polyvagal theory, as he dives into the complexities of psychological trauma. He explains how our nervous system influences mental health and the importance of the vagus nerve in emotional regulation. Discover the critical role of social engagement in healing and how the pandemic has redefined our connections. Dr. Porges also highlights practical therapeutic applications, emphasizing the need for deeper understanding and holistic approaches in mental health treatment.
51:27
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Autonomic Nervous System & Sociality
Our autonomic nervous system links mind and body and modulates our responses to stress and safety.
Polyvagal theory explains that sociality signals safety, which downregulates threat reactions and supports health and restoration.
insights INSIGHT
Two Distinct Vagal Pathways
Polyvagal theory identifies two vagal pathways: ventral vagus linked to social engagement and dorsal vagus associated with more primitive responses.
The ventral vagal pathway enables mammals to broadcast safety with facial expressions and vocalizations.
insights INSIGHT
Face and Voice Reflect Physiology
Our face and voice reflect our autonomic state, signaling safety or threat to others.
Loss of ventral vagus activity flattens facial expressivity and intonation, indicating vulnerability and defensive physiology.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation
Stephen Porges
This book presents the Polyvagal Theory, which was introduced by Stephen W. Porges in 1994. The theory reworks our understanding of the autonomic nervous system, particularly the parasympathetic nervous system, by dividing it into two distinct branches: the ventral vagal system, which supports social engagement, and the dorsal vagal system, which supports immobilization behaviors. The theory has significant implications for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism, and it provides insights into how our autonomic nervous system mediates social engagement, trust, and intimacy. The book is divided into several parts, covering theoretical principles, biobehavioral regulation during early development, social communication and relationships, and therapeutic and clinical perspectives.
In this illuminating extract from his IMMH 2023 presentation, Dr. Porges takes us on a fascinating tour of his groundbreaking polyvagal theory, the connection between our nervous system and mental health, and the role of the vagus nerve in regulating emotions and responses to trauma. With a distinguished career spanning multiple institutions and numerous accolades, Dr. Porges shares insights on how understanding and managing the nervous system can revolutionise mental health treatment.
Dr. Stephen Porges is a distinguished university scientist at Indiana University, the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute, and a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina. He is also a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. With over 400 peer-reviewed scientific papers and several influential books, Dr. Porges has significantly advanced our understanding of the nervous system's role in mental health. His latest book, Our Polyvagal World: Health, Safety, and Trauma, co-authored with his son Seth Porges, further explores these themes.
In this episode, learn about:
Mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system: an in-depth exploration of the ventral vagal complex and its role in modulating physiological responses to stress and safety
Polyvagal Theory in clinical practice: practical applications of Polyvagal Theory in therapeutic settings, including strategies for enhancing autonomic regulation and resilience in patients
The concept of neuroception and its implications for understanding how the nervous system detects and responds to environmental cues of safety and threat
Advanced therapeutic interventions based on Polyvagal Theory, focusing on how to effectively engage the parasympathetic nervous system to improve outcomes in trauma and stress-related disorders
The significance of assessing and modulating autonomic state to optimise therapeutic interventions and improve patient outcomes in mental health treatment
How the evolution of the autonomic nervous system supports social behaviours and the implications for mental health treatments
Understanding the physiological underpinnings of emotional regulation and dysregulation through the lens of Polyvagal Theory
Cutting-edge methods for assessing autonomic state and bio-behavioural reactivity to enhance diagnostic accuracy and personalise treatment plans
Dr. Porges will be elaborating on this theory and putting it into practice at the Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conference (IMMH 2024) in Washington, DC, October 2024. There he will be presenting his new polyvagal music initiative, designed to regulate the nervous system using musical interventions. He will be teaming up with Seth Porges, his son and co-author of “Our Polyvagal World” and celebrated Music Producer Anthony Gorry to present The Transformative Power of Music Scientifically Composed to Signal Safety to the Nervous System. For more details, visit IMMH
The MindHealth360 Show 
