The first time I heard of the vagus nerve was when I came across an image of it. It caught my eye because it looked like a root system and at first that is what I thought it was only to discover that it was an anatomical illustration of the vagus nerve. On another occasion I was listening to an audiobook that mentioned the vagus nerve, explaining how it was at the center of our autonomic nervous system. This immediately got my attention. I already had an intuitive sense that soil and root systems was metaphorical for the abstract theories of the soul, the spirit and the subconscious mind. I also felt that there had to be a strong connection between the vagus nerve and my knowledge about sensory processing/integration. This is an ongoing research topic…
The Polyvagal Theory Explained
Vagus stands for wanderer. This nerve is dubbed ‘the wandering nerve’ because it innervates several places in the body including the inner ear, face, vocal cords, lungs, heart, and digestive organs.
Polyvagal Theory offers a revolutionary perspective on the evolution of our nervous system, outlining the role that the vagus nerve plays in mediating functions of the autonomic nervous system. The theory emphasizes the role of the vagus nerve in physical survival, as well as how our physiological state influences our emotional and social experiences. At this stage there are some who criticise its evolutionary base and is therefore still just a theory. I do however feel that it helps to explain our human experience in terms of danger vs safety which influences us on a daily basis.
The model offers a wealth of insights into how the nervous system responds to threats, but also highlights the usefulness of toning the vagus nerve when it comes to managing stress. If you want to better understand emotional intelligence and the dynamics of social connections, you’ll love learning more about Polyvagal Theory.
Three critical neural pathways play a role in health and wellness along with how we respond to survival threats and stressors:
01 Ventral pathway of rest and restoration
02 Sympathetic pathway of mobilizing fight or flight energy
03 Dorsal pathway of immobilizing and shutting down energy
(Info sourced from: https://thechalkboardmag.com/polyvagal-theory-explained/#)
Polyvagal Theory was introduced as an attempt to shift the science of psychophysiology from a descriptive science conducting empirical studies and describing correlations between psychological and physiological processes to an inferential science generating and testing hypotheses related to common neural pathways involving both mental and physiological processes. It was the first volley in a conceptual dialog challenging the questions and methods involved in psychophysiological research and especially in the sub-domain of cardiovascular psychophysiology.
Sourced from: Steohen W.Porges, Polyvagal Theory: A biobehavioral journey to sociality, Comprehensive Psychoneoruendocrinology, VOlume 7, 2021, ISSN 2666-4976, (available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100069. Opened 24/04/2024)
The relationship between neuroception, interoception, and phenomenology:
This area of study that intertwines neurobiology with philosophical concepts of consciousness and experience.
- Neuroception: This term, coined by Dr. Stephen Porges, refers to the subconscious system in our bodies that evaluates risk and safety in our environment, contributing to our physiological state. Neuroception is a mechanism of the autonomic nervous system that influences our responses to stress, social interactions, and perceived threats. It operates below the level of conscious awareness and plays a critical role in shaping our emotional and behavioral responses to the world around us.
- Interoception: Interoception is the sense of the internal state of the body. It involves the perception of physical sensations arising from inside the body, such as hunger, thirst, heart rate, and breath. This sensory system allows us to feel, understand, and interpret the physiological state of our bodies. Interoception is closely linked to emotional experience and self-awareness, as physical sensations are often the foundation of emotions.
- Phenomenology: Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the study of conscious experience from the first-person perspective. It involves exploring phenomena as they are perceived and experienced, without preconceptions or theories. In phenomenology, the focus is on understanding the structures of experience and consciousness.
When these concepts intersect:
- Neuroception and Phenomenology: Neuroception, though operating subconsciously, influences our phenomenological experience. The sense of safety or threat detected by neuroception shapes our emotional and perceptual experience, even if we are not consciously aware of these underlying processes. Phenomenological studies can explore how these subconscious perceptions influence conscious experience, particularly in the context of emotions, social interactions, and stress responses.
- Interoception and Phenomenology: Interoception feeds directly into our phenomenological experience. The awareness of bodily sensations is a key component of how we experience our existence and forms the basis of many emotional and psychological states. Phenomenology can provide a framework for understanding how internal bodily sensations contribute to the subjective experience of being.
- Neuroception and Interoception: Both neuroception and interoception are related to how we process and respond to internal and external stimuli. While neuroception is more about evaluating safety and threat in the environment, interoception provides a sense of the body’s internal state. The interaction between these two systems is crucial for emotional regulation, stress response, and overall well-being.
Overall, the relationship between neuroception, interoception, and phenomenology is essential for understanding the complex interplay between our physiological states, subconscious processes, and conscious experience. This understanding is particularly relevant in fields like psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and philosophy, where comprehending the depth of human experience is vital.
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