Is Polyvagal Theory the Key to Healing IBS & Autoimmune Disease? Top Neuroscientist Explains

#368: Polyvagal Path: Healing Your Nervous System & Your Life with Dr. Stephen Porges
In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Stephen Porges, the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, to the podcast. Dr. Porges discusses the impact of trauma histories on our relationships and behaviors - sharing Polyvagal Theory's role in our physiological responses. We also discuss post-pandemic societal shifts, navigating the challenges of societal evaluation, the impact of social media, and ethical considerations surrounding digital interactions. Dr. Porges explores alternative modalities for self-regulation - emphasizing the importance of co-regulation, and shares somatic therapies for trauma healing. Listen in to this conversation that reminds us of the transformative power of connection for promoting healing and well-being.
Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences. He is the creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol ™ , which currently is used by approximately 3,000 therapists to improve spontaneous social engagement, to reduce hearing sensitivities, and to improve language processing, state regulation, and spontaneous social engagement. Dr. Porges is a founder of the Polyvagal Institute.
-Stephen’s Instagram: / polyvagalinstitute
-Stephen’s Website: www.stephenporges.com/
-Stephen’s Website: www.polyvagalinstitute.org/
-Stephen’s Facebook: / polyvagalinstitute
-Stephen’s LinkedIn: / stephen-w-porges-6514877b
-Stephen’s Books: www.polyvagalinstitute.org/bo...
If you want to dive deeper into Mark’s content, search through every episode, find specific topics we’ve covered, and ask him questions, go to his Dexa page: dexa.ai/markgroves
Themes: Relationships, Boundaries, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Health, Transformation, Grief, Trauma, Polyvagal Theory, Neuroception, Physiological Responses, Social Media, Self-Regulation, Co-Regulation, Nervous System Regulation, Nervous System, Somatic Therapy
0:00:00 Intro
0:02:08 Dr. Porges' Journey to Understanding Nervous System
0:09:58 The Concept of Neuroception
0:20:10 The Impact of Fear and Stress on Human Behavior
0:31:41 Effects of Dysregulation from Media Consumption
0:34:49 The Future of Virtual Reality and Human Response
0:39:59 The Arrogance of Consciousness
0:41:14 Evolution of Psychedelics and Regulation
0:43:46 Impact of Intellectual Work on the Body
0:44:15 Polyvagal Music for Regulation
0:46:59 Accessibility and Trauma Histories
0:48:03 Moving Towards Regulation
0:51:11 Psychological Impact on Physical Health
0:53:54 Disconnect in Medical Approach
0:57:40 Myth of Medicine and Personalized Treatment
0:58:21 Link Between Autoimmune Issues and Trauma
1:00:34 Understanding The Body's Adaptive Reactions
1:04:26 Imprinting of Early Experiences
1:09:52 Importance of Play and Nature
1:12:24 The Polyvagal Institute and Resources
This episode is sponsored by BON CHARGE: Use code MARKGROVES to save 15% at boncharge.com/MARKGROVES
Contact us at [e-mail] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!

[@Mandance]

Helps me realize the reason people could be so hostile these days and not as friendly as previous decades could just be due to all the fear and being in a hyper vigilant states from what’s going on in the world today.

[@markgroves]

Yes!! Absolutely. He explained that so well right?

[@philipholding]

Or we might now be seeing the world as we are, not as it is.

[@PixelatedReality80]

24:59 🙌 social media is not meant to be healthy. My kids and I had this discussion where we feel we live a virtual life and often robbing our awareness of the present moment. And it was heightened through Covid. We engage socially, shop, research and gather information on our social media platforms, living within our head. Which my daughter and I feel like we are more sensitive to the environment around us, triggering dysregulation. My son, he never got over involved in social media and online applications. He prefers outdoor activities and being with friends face to face. He doesn’t struggle with anxiety or dysregulation.

[@philipholding]

Your son has the answer. It's a common addiction now, and like all addictions, it drip feeds into the subconscious

[@dr.davidgerstenaminoacidth2421]

Brilliant interview…both of you. I’ve paid some attention to all the ai voices on KZbin. Do you know what they lack? Their voices lack all melodious prosody. They are similar to the voice of a real person stuck in collapse/freeze, and people are getting used to that. As a therapist I practice Polyvagal Theory. I took a lot of notes while watching this video.

[@chrisnam1603]

true, oh i can't listen to an audiobook with those voices, even the best that i would so love & can't find in life, greetings from Belgium

[@PearlMayaSusieItsy]

Steven Porges is such a gift. Thank you for having him on.

[@nicolearmit4406]

A measure of a great therapist is someone that admits their own challenges in their own life. We are indeed all human. Great interview. Thank you 🙏🏼🌟

[@viccinagli3874]

The bit on safety... reminds me of Einstein saying.... is your universe a friendly place or not? Because however you answer that question will determine how your life pans out....

[@curiouscat2722]

Love this humble, brilliant man! As a clinical practitioner I've come to understand how much the ANS is impacting gut health and general well being. We use Dr. Porges' Safe & Sound therapy with every patient in the clinic as a foundational piece of every program. I can't wait to utilize the new polyvagal music! Thank you for your work and great interview.

[@Erika_Bustos]

Such an amazing conversation and very validating and necessary for everyone to hear! Thank you for this.

[@joannakusz4543]

Thank you Fantastic Conversation 😊

[@Jigolpets]

Good work 🥰🌸

[@paulmead5832]

Mark, there's a slight lag between your mouth movements and the sound you're making. A wonderful wonderful interview. Thank you so much. Paul New Zealand

[@markgroves]

Thanks for this feedback! I'm not sure what happened there. My apologies!

[@user-td2yr9tx9p]

Thank you ❤😊

[@jennyafricandance166]

After school my mother had food for us as soon we got in the car 😂

[@jennyafricandance166]

Talking about digestion and having time to relax and digest, makes me think what if cows were not given the opportunity to sit down and chew the cud. Poor things in overcrowded transport to the slaughterhouses must be torture.. They must be so traumatised in industrial farming. I mean more than we could imagine maybe 🤷🏾(I'm a vegetarian, beef farmers daughter lol)

[@AnjaliRace]

❤❤❤❤️‍🩹🌎🧘

[@moniquelgrace1908]

The house looks incredibly uncomfortable I hope he watches this and see some self

[@shaunking8874]

That's a Projection.