How Trauma Gets Trapped in Your Body Part 2 | Vagus Nerve, Orienting Reflex and the Amygdala
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The content segments provide an in-depth exploration of the orienting reflex, its relationship with the vagus nerve, and its impact on our response to new or unexpected stimuli. The orienting reflex, defined as the interruption of ongoing activity by the presentation of an unexpected stimulus, plays a crucial role in our attention and learning processes. It is initially present in infants and continues to develop as children grow older and form schemas or shortcuts to understand the world.
The vagus nerve, responsible for triggering the orienting response, takes in stimuli from the body and reports it to the brain. It plays a crucial role in the formation of schemas and memory. However, individuals with trauma-related disorders or anxiety may have a heightened orienting response due to hyper-vigilance and anticipation of threat. This can be triggered by specific stimuli, including smells, and is associated with changes in brain functioning and connectivity.
The orienting reflex and the startle response are two different responses to stimuli. While the startle response is a stress response that activates the HPA axis, the orienting response freezes ongoing activity and focuses on understanding the new or unfamiliar stimuli. The orienting reflex can also be triggered in anticipation of pain or threat.
To improve vagal tone and activate the relaxation response, various techniques such as heart rate variability biofeedback, deep breathing, yoga, exercise, smiling, laughter, and humming can be used. These techniques help individuals manually trigger the relaxation response and improve their vagal tone.
Overall, understanding the orienting reflex and its relationship with the vagus nerve can provide insights into how we process and respond to new experiences, as well as strategies for promoting relaxation and reducing emotional dysregulation.
The content segments provide an in-depth exploration of the orienting reflex, its relationship with