Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve book cover

Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve by Stanley Rosenberg Summary

Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve
Stanley Rosenberg
3.78 (2162 Reviews)
Health
Mindfulness
Psychology
Overview
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Overview of Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve

Discover the revolutionary link between your nervous system and total wellness. Endorsed by Polyvagal Theory creator Stephen Porges, this bestseller - translated into 20+ languages - reveals simple exercises that could rewire your body's response to anxiety, depression, and trauma.

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Key takeaways

1

The Body's Hidden Command Center: Your Vagus Nerve

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Imagine a single nerve in your body that could alleviate anxiety, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and enhance your social connections. This isn't science fiction - it's the vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in your body and perhaps the most powerful lever for improving your health that you've never heard of. Running from your brainstem through your neck and into your chest and abdomen, this remarkable nerve serves as the primary communication pathway between your brain and internal organs. What makes the vagus nerve so revolutionary in healthcare is its dual role: it both senses your body's internal state and helps regulate it, creating a feedback loop that can either promote healing or perpetuate dysfunction. The traditional understanding of our nervous system has been woefully incomplete. We've long believed we operate in just two states: stressed (fight-or-flight) or relaxed (rest-and-digest). But groundbreaking research has revealed a more nuanced reality - one that explains why so many health conditions resist conventional treatment. When the vagus nerve functions properly, we exist in a state of social engagement - feeling safe, connected, and capable of genuine human interaction. When it doesn't, we cascade into states of defense that manifest as anxiety, depression, digestive issues, chronic pain, and dozens of other seemingly unrelated conditions.

2

Polyvagal Theory: Three Neural Circuits and Your Social Engagement System

3

Your Three Nervous System States: Safety, Danger, and Life-Threat

4

Neuroception: How Your Body Decides What's Safe

5

The Basic Exercise: A Two-Minute Solution for Nervous System Regulation

6

From Theory to Transformation: Real Results and the Path Forward

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