How Trauma Reprograms the Vagus Nerve & Orienting Reflex | Healing from Trauma
youtu.be
The content segments discuss the role of the vagus nerve in the orienting reflex and traumatic injury. The vagus nerve acts as a communication pathway between the brain and the body, carrying signals and information. It triggers the orienting reflex, which increases awareness and learning in response to unexpected stimuli. The orienting reflex is particularly strong during traumatic events, activating a heightened state of awareness and hypervigilance. Individuals with anxiety or PTSD may constantly feel unsafe and hypervigilant due to associations between various stimuli and trauma. Triggers can be associated with reliving the trauma, anticipating feeling unsafe, or encountering reminders of the trauma. The constant activation of the stress response and hypervigilance can be exhausting and lead to emotional dysregulation. The content also discusses techniques to improve vagal tone and regulate the stress response, such as conscious practices, distress tolerance skills, and systematic desensitization. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe environment, addressing basic needs, reparenting the inner child, setting boundaries, and managing interpersonal triggers. By strengthening the connection between the vagus nerve and the amygdala, individuals can promote a sense of safety and reduce the stress response. Overall, the content highlights the significance of understanding and managing the vagus nerve's role in trauma and stress.
The content segments discuss the role of the vagus nerve in the orienting reflex and traumatic injur