This is a set of diagrams that will be part of the front matter of the book. We’ve had a number of readers point out that they are having trouble visualizing the neurological systems that we are describing.
Three divisions of the Autononomic Nervous System (simplified)
These systems are not fully differentiated by orthodox neurology (it fails to differentiate multiple vagal systems). These have been referred to by Polyvagal Theory as Ventral Vagus/ Social Engagement System (blue), Sympathetic Nervous System (yellow), and Dorsal Vagal System (red). While this distinction is NEURO-ANATOMICALLY accurate, it is not FUNCTIONALLY complete.
We are replacing the names of these systems, which combine neurology and neurochemistry (which needs to be differentiated to understand how these systems actually combine in vivo in the presence of safety, danger, or lifethreat), ergo…
There exist three autonomic systems in the human body:
in BLUE, a Connection System comprised of the ventral branch of the Vagus that unites the neural regulation of the face, voice, eyes, ears, turning of the head and neck, with the heart and breath in newborns. As this system myelinates prior to the closing of the fontanelles around 18 months of age, it grows into the ventral surfaces of the hands, parts of the ventral surface of the feet, the skin and the genitals. Much of this book is focused on exploring the various physiological portals to this system, because when this system is driving we experience health-creating states.
in YELLOW, a Spinal Movement System organized along the entire length of the spine and into the brainstem whose central pattern generators govern rhythmic movements in the body from the sucking/swallowing, to breathing, to the movements of the arms and legs, to the movements required to pee, poop, and experience an orgasm. This system has been understood by classical neurology and Polyvagal Theory primarily with respect to undergirding the fight-flight responses, yet this is only how it operates when threat is detected and activation chemistry is present. It has an entire repertoire of neurological function beyond this as it coordinates all centrally pattern generated movement (crawling, walking, running, swimming, complex coordinated arm swings, coordinated full spinal movement patterns, sucking, swallowing, vomiting, breathing, digesting, peeing, pooping, sexual thrusting/ hip rotational range, orgasm, etc).
in RED, a Deep Belly System comprised of the dorsal branch of the Vagus that innervates primarily subdiaphragmatically beneath the respiratory diaphragm and is closely connected to the enteric nervous system. This system has been understood by Polyvagal Theory and the related somatically-oriented trauma healing modalities only in the configuration which it enters when we experience lifethreat. Yet it is actually the hara (Japanese), or lower dantien (Chinese), understood in eastern cultures to be the ‘elixir field’: the location where the elixir of life is made. This deep belly system is the center of metabolism, the center of authentic movement.
These systems look about like this (these are dramatic simplifications, basically the trunk lines of these systems)
Differentiation of Neurology and Neurochemistry
Previous autonomic physiology has categorically failed to distinguish neural pathways from the associated neurochemistry that activates based on our neuroception (neurological detection) of safety, danger, or lifethreat. Yet neuroception selectively activates neurochemistry, governing which autonomic systems are recruited and how they relate to one another.
In the presence of safety, which is pulsative, connection chemistry coordinates the activities of the connection system, spinal mobilization system, and deep belly system. (In order to coordinate sucking and swallowing with digestion these systems must be coordinating- this is the first autonomically coordinated activity that newborns engage). (8, 9, 10, 11, 12 on the Autonomic Spectrum clock)
As neuroception of danger arises, connection chemistry withdraws, and the connection system is no longer able to rhythmically coordinate the spinal mobilization and deep belly systems.
In the presence of activation chemistry (adrenaline / cortisol) this moves us into the continuum of danger responses (accomodate/ appease/ flight/ fight). (1, 2, 3 o’clock)
As neuroception of lifethreat arises, the addition of shutdown chemistry (endogenous opioids) begins to immobilize. The addition of endogenous opiates over activation chemistry yeilds states of tonic immobility (rigid and immobilized). (4 and 5 o’clock)
In full lifethreat, as endogenous opioids become the primary chemistry muscle tone is lost, the spinal movement system comes offline and we are left in the fully collapsed devastation of dorsality (6 o’clock).
In order to organize our model, then, we have primary colors combining into ranges, combining into a full spectrum. These neurological elements then interplay with associated neurochemistry.
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