In this "How to talk policy and influence people" interview with Dr Stephen Porges, the developer of polyvagal theory, we discuss the vagus nerve, the evolutionary development of the mammalian autonomic nervous system and the human social engagement system. We discuss the importance of a felt sense of safety in the presence of other people, which starts with our experiences with our primary care-giver in infancy. We talk about common symptoms due to our bodies being in a chronic state of defence, for example due to complex trauma, including mental health problems, relational mistrust, obsessive behaviours and criminality. We discuss how "neural state is the intervening variable" and consider the neurophysiological significance of listening and bearing witness to people who are in distress. We examine the threat posed by COVID-19 and the harmful impact of reduced opportunities for co-regulation with people outside our immediate family. In the context of planned interventions to engage young people involved in criminal networks we consider what observable indicators might signify crucial changes in neural state, prior to obtaining any hard criminal justice outcomes. In terms of the community impact of relentless drug-related criminal activity, we talk about how some residents might be in a shutdown state and what activities might improve safety and stimulate the social engagement system which enables humans to act in concert.
See interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBc8hdQaOOc
See also a summary of polyvagal theory from training with Dr Porges in Cork, Ireland in 2019 at https://www.researchgate.net/p...n_a_quest_for_safety
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