Intro

Question 1

Three organizing principles of polyvagal theory

Answer 1

Hierarchy – the autonomic nervous system responds to sensations in the body and signals from the environment through three pathways. Dorsal vagus (immobilization), sympathetic nervous system (mobilization) and the ventral vagus (social engagement and connection)

Neuroception- the ways our autonomic system responds to cues of safety, danger and life-threat

Co-regulation: reciprocal regulation of our autonomic states that we feel safe to move into connection and create trusting relationships

Question 2

Principle of appropriate response

Answer 2

Every response is an action in service of survival, no matter how incongruous it looks from the outside. Encourage curiosity about cues of safety and danger rather than judgement/blame/shame. Approach with honor and respect.

Question 3

What is the Social Engagement System

Answer 3

It is our “face-heart” connection, created from the linking of the ventral vagus (heart) and the striated muscles in our face and head that control how we look (facial expressions), how we listen (auditory), and how we speak (vocalization). It is through this system that we send and search for cues of safety.

Question 4

Polyvagal Four R approach

Answer 4

Recognize the autonomic state
Respect the adaptive survival response
Regulate or co-regulate into a ventral vagal state
Re-story

Question 5

Neuroception definition

Answer 5

The way our autonomic nervous system scans for cues of safety, danger and life-threat without involving the thinking parts of our brain. AKA Somatic signals that influence decision making and behavioral responses without explicit awareness of the provoking cues.Before the brain understands and makes meaning of an experience, the autonomic nervous system via neuroception has assessed the situation and initiated a response.

Question 6

Autonomic Nervous System components

Answer 6

Two main branches:

1) sympathetic - found in the middle part of the spinal cord and represents the pathway that triggers us for action. Responds to cues of danger and triggers the release of adrenaline, which fuels flight or fight
2) parasympathetic branch - includes vagus which travels downward through key organs and upwards to connect with neck, throat, eyes and ears.

Question 7

Two parts of vagus nerve

Answer 7

1) Ventral Vagal - responds to cues of safety and supports feelings of being safely engaged and socially connected
2) Dorsal vagal - responds to cues of extreme danger. Takes us out of connection/awareness and into a protective state of collapse (aka frozen, numb or dissociated).

Question 8

Chronlogical origin of vagal pathways

Answer 8

First was dorsal vagal, originating in ancient vertebrate ancestors. Next was sympathetic branch and most recent is ventral vagal pathway

Question 9

Top of the ladder

Answer 9

Ventral vagal state where heart rate is regulated, breath is full, we are tuned in. Feeling happy, active and interested and feelings the world as safe, fun and peaceful. Health benefits include healthy heart, regulated blood pressure, healthy immune system, good digestion, quality sleep and overall sense of well-being

Question 10

Moving Down the Ladder

Answer 10

Sympathetic branch activates when something triggers us to sense danger. Heart rate speeds up, breath is short and shallow – on the move. World may feel dangerous, chaotic or unfriendly. Health consequences include heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep problems, weight gain, memory impairment, chronic muscle tension, stomach problems and increased vulnerability to illness

Question 11

Bottom of the Ladder

Answer 11

Triggered into shutdown, collapse, and dissociation. Feeling alone, hopeless, abandoned, foggy, too tired to think. World is dead, empty and dark. Health consequences include chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, stomach problems, low blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain.

Question 12

Surviving vs thriving

Answer 12

surviving requires threat detection and the activation of a survival response. Thriving demands the opposite- the inhibition of a survival response so that social engagement can happen.

Question 13

Vagus nerve composition, location and functions

Answer 13

80% sensory (afferent) and 20% motor (efferent).Below diaphragm is dorsal. Above is ventral.

Question 14

Why does sympathetic arousal bring a sense of isolation which has its own inherent sense of danger?

Answer 14

Because being alone and not a part of a group was dangerous. With the ventral vagal no longer online in sympathetic arousal, we no longer feel that connection

Question 15

Beautiful Aztec word Apapacho

Answer 15

To embrace or caress with the soul

Question 16

Pendulation short definition

Answer 16

Intentionally moving between activation and calm

Question 17

Titration short definition

Answer 17

Using tempo and parsing of experience to monitor and manage response

Question 18

The mind narrates what the nervous system knows…

Answer 18

…Story follows state

Question 19

Sound’s role in neuroception

Answer 19

Sound is one of the strongest triggers of neuroception

Question 20

Two elements to create a neuroception of safety

Answer 20

Resolve the cues of danger and bring in cues of safety

Question 21

ABCD’s of Neuroception

Answer 21

Autonomic response is always happening.

Bringing awareness adds the influence of perception to the experience of neuroception. Move from “being in” to “being with” and bring observer energy to interrupt ingrained response pathways

Connecting with self-compassion we offer inward kindness and care that in and of itself, can bring us back to safety. Can also spark curiosity to explore habitual neuroceptive loops.

Deepening into curiousity will open our heart and help us flow in the ventral vagal state. This is where regulating, resourcing, reciprocity, reconnection, repatterning, and re-storying can happen.

Question 22

Effect of loneliness on safety and autonomic nervous system

Answer 22

Loneliness triggers a neuroception of unsafety and chronic loneliness locks our autonomic nervous system in survival mode

Question 23

Definition of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 23

The autonomic nervous system is a control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal.

Question 24

Reciprocity’s value in regulation

Answer 24

Experiencing, remembering and imagining moments of reciprocity inhibits autonomic defense systems and activates the ventral vagal system and its move toward safety and connection

Question 25

Vagal break

Answer 25

Ventral vagal nerve fosters calm states by inhibiting sympathetic incluences in the body and dampening the HPA axis