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Dr. Stephen Porges PHD - POLYVAGAL THEORY EXPLAINED

Chasing Consciousness

NOTE

Understanding Heart Rate Regulation: From Reptiles to Infants

Heart rate regulation during stress shows a phylogenetic continuum, revealing distinct patterns linked to evolutionary biology. In reptiles, the response to threat includes immobilization, bradycardia, and defecation to decrease metabolic demands. This physiological response is mirrored in fetal development, where the older vagus nerve governs gut regulation before the sympathetic nervous system activates. As gestation progresses, a newer vagus nerve emerges, calming the system and connecting it to facial and head muscles, signaling a transition that shapes an infant's responses upon birth.

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