Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism

by Stanley D. Rosenberg

The Polyvagal Theory begins by recognizing that the vagus nerve has two separate branches—two separate, distinct vagal nerves that originate in two different locations. We get a more accurate representation of the workings of the autonomic nervous system if we consider that the auto-nomic nervous system consists of three neural circuits: the ventral branch of the vagus nerve (positive states of relaxation and social engagement), the spinal sympathetic chain (fight or flight), and the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve (slowdown, shutdown, and depressive behavior). These three circuits regulate our bodily functions in order to help us maintain homeostasis.