#368: Polyvagal Path: Healing Your Nervous System & Your Life with Dr. Stephen Porges
Apr 29, 2024
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Dr. Stephen Porges, originator of the Polyvagal Theory, delves into trauma's impact on relationships and behaviors, societal shifts post-pandemic, social media's influence, self-regulation modalities, somatic therapies for trauma healing, and the transformative power of connection for healing and well-being.
Importance of feeling safe in the body for meaningful connections post-trauma.
Understanding how physiological state impacts interactions and responses through Polyvagal Theory.
Exploration of social media's influence on human relationships and well-being with ethical considerations.
Deep dives
Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Relationships
Trauma survivors often struggle with maintaining deep relationships due to their nervous system interpreting accessibility as vulnerability. This paradox highlights the importance of feeling safe in the body to enable meaningful connections. Despite the intention to connect, trauma histories can trigger the lower brain stem areas to prioritize safety over connection, leading individuals to avoid deeper relationships.
Exploring Polyvagal Theory and Physiological States
Polyvagal theory emphasizes how our physiological state influences our interactions with the world. Being in a state of defense can make us reactive, critical, and defensive, while feeling more accessible allows for compassion and flexibility. Understanding the nervous system's role in regulating our responses sheds light on the importance of accessing our body's inherent safety mechanisms for more positive interactions.
Reflecting on Social Media, Dysregulation, and Human Behavior
Discussions on social media dysregulation, manipulation, and monetization highlight the underlying motivations of platforms and individuals. The profit-driven nature of social media often prioritizes engagement over well-being, contributing to addictive behaviors and stress. The abundance of information and lack of regulation in digital spaces raise questions about the impact of modern technology on human relationships and societal dynamics.
The Power of Polyvagal Music and Embodied Music Therapy
Polyvagal music, a concept discussed in the podcast, involves composing music that aligns with slow bodily rhythms like digestion and blood pressure, facilitating relaxation and physiological benefits. This music aims to train the body to release hypervigilance, fostering a sense of safety and trust. By engaging with this polyvagal music, individuals can prompt their bodies to enter a state of rest and restoration, counteracting the effects of chronic stress. The development of such music offers a tool for individuals, including those with trauma histories, to regulate their nervous systems and enhance their embodied experiences.
The Importance of Neuro-Regulation and Trauma-Informed Therapy
The podcast delves into the significance of neuro-regulation in relation to trauma histories, emphasizing the impact of unresolved trauma on the autonomic nervous system. Individuals with trauma backgrounds often struggle with dysregulation and an inability to form deep connections due to their heightened state of vigilance. The discussion highlights the necessity for trauma-informed therapies that focus on co-regulation, titration, and somatic experiences to help individuals access and resolve their traumatic responses. By addressing neural dysregulation through these therapeutic approaches, individuals can work towards healing, building resilience, and fostering healthier relationships.
In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Stephen Porges, the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, to the podcast. Dr. Porges discusses the impact of trauma histories on our relationships and behaviors – sharing Polyvagal Theory's role in our physiological responses. We also discuss post-pandemic societal shifts, navigating the challenges of societal evaluation, the impact of social media, and ethical considerations surrounding digital interactions. Dr. Porges explores alternative modalities for self-regulation – emphasizing the importance of co-regulation, and shares somatic therapies for trauma healing. Listen in to this conversation that reminds us of the transformative power of connection for promoting healing and well-being.
Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences. He is the creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol ™ , which currently is used by approximately 3,000 therapists to improve spontaneous social engagement, to reduce hearing sensitivities, and to improve language processing, state regulation, and spontaneous social engagement. Dr. Porges is a founder of the Polyvagal Institute.
—Stephen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polyvagalinstitute
—Stephen’s Website: https://www.stephenporges.com/
—Stephen’s Website: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/
—Stephen’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polyvagalinstitute
—Stephen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-w-porges-6514877b/
—Stephen’s Books: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/bookstore
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Themes: Relationships, Boundaries, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Health, Transformation, Grief, Trauma, Polyvagal Theory, Neuroception, Physiological Responses, Social Media, Self-Regulation, Co-Regulation, Nervous System Regulation, Nervous System, Somatic Therapy, Dysregulation
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