How Trauma Gets Trapped in Your Body (& How To Heal) | Dr. Stephen Porges | Align Podcast #529

42 snips

Feb 6, 2025

Dr. Stephen Porges is a pioneering expert in trauma and the originator of Polyvagal Theory. He discusses how trauma is stored in the body, affecting our nervous system and emotional well-being. Listeners learn about techniques to regulate their nervous system, such as breathwork and sound therapy. The conversation dives into the connection between emotional health and social engagement, the role of the vagus nerve in healing, and how environmental influences shape our perceptions. Practical insights for stress resilience and holistic healing are shared.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Dorsal Vagal Response

The dorsal vagal response is a literal shutdown, controlled by the dorsal brainstem, affecting areas below the diaphragm.
Trauma or chronic stress impacts the gut, leading to issues like IBS or colitis due to disrupted neural regulation.

INSIGHT

Vagal Tone vs. Efficiency

Stephen Porges distinguishes between prostheses (hacks) and neural exercises for vagal regulation.
He questions the effectiveness of electrical stimulation as a sustainable neural exercise.

INSIGHT

Neuroception

Neuroception, unlike perception, is the nervous system's non-conscious detection of threat and safety.
This detection influences our physiological state and reactions, even before conscious awareness.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Did you know that your body keeps the score on trauma? Even if you don’t realize it.

In this episode of the Align podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Stephen Porges to break down how trauma is stored in the body and its impact on the nervous system. Dr. Porges explains the Polyvagal Theory (a concept he coined and pioneered), the brain-gut connection, and why our physiological state shapes perception.

Expect to learn practical ways to regulate the nervous system, including breathwork, sound therapy, and social activities, and rewire your response to stress and build resilience through scientifically-backed methods.

OUR GUEST

Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University and the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at 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. As the originator of Polyvagal Theory, Dr. Porges has reshaped how we understand trauma, physiological state, and social engagement. He also developed the Safe and Sound Protocol™, a music-based intervention helping thousands of therapists improve nervous system regulation.

DR. STEPHEN PORGES

🌐 Website ▶ https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/

📷 IG ▶ https://www.instagram.com/polyvagalinstitute/?hl=en

🔷 LI ▶ http://linkedin.com/company/74602056

📘 FB ▶ https://www.facebook.com/polyvagalinstitute

▶️ YT ▶ https://www.youtube.com/@PolyvagalInstitute

📱 App ▶ http://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/pviapp

AARON ALEXANDER

📸 IG ▶ https://www.instagram.com/aaronalexander/

🤳 TIKTOK ▶ https://www.tiktok.com/@alignmethod

👉 SUBSCRIBE ▶ https://www.youtube.com/@AlignPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

🌐 WEBSITE ▶ https://www.alignpodcast.com

ABOUT

Aaron Alexander is a pioneering manual therapist and movement coach with over 5 years experience. He is the founder and creator of The Align Method, author of The Align Method book, and host of The Align Podcast which has ranked #1 in Nutrition on Apple Podcasts.

Aaron has worked with some of the world’s greatest professional athletes, performers, and celebrities to help relieve pain, improve strength, better flexibility, and ease the mind and body.

On this channel, Aaron interviews renowned experts in a range of fields focused on improving the mind and body. This mind and body podcast will teach you all that you need to know to become the healthiest version of yourself by integrating simplified ancient techniques and the foundational principles of The Align Method to strengthen your body, balance the mind, and activate healing systems in daily life.

The mission? To be the best personal growth podcast about healthy habits, redefine functional movement, and make fitness who you are; not what you do.

TOPICS

1. How trauma affects the nervous system

2. Polyvagal Theory

3. Stress management

4. Gut health

5. Music therapy

6. Breathwork

7. Perception, neuroception, and interoception