Felinoterapie, NCHK

Polyvagal theory of Dr. Steven W. Porges and its application in felinotherapy

D. Hypšová

Dr. Steven W. Porges is an American psychiatrist, neurobiologist and scientist who has been studying the relationship between the autonomic nervous system, the functioning of the internal organs and the role of the vagus nerve in mediating information between the internal organs and the brain and vice versa since the 1960s.

Simply put, the vagus nerve is responsible for the vertebrate's ability to calm down and relax. If we want to describe the Polyvagal Theory in a simplified way, we can say that it is focused on the unconscious evaluation of safety or danger in the environment of an individual by the autonomic nervous system - neuroception - and the relationship of neuroception to physiological functions in a given organism. This unconscious process influences the behaviour of the individual.

The vagus nerve, the longest of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves, plays a key role in the Polyvagal Theory. The vagus nerve is connected by its outputs to the heart, lungs, bronchi, larynx, pharynx, intestine, genitals, and other organs above and below the diaphragm. It mediates communication between the organs and the brain, which is part of the central nervous system. The vagus nerve consists of two pathways - ventral (ventral) and dorsal (dorsal).

The ventral branch of the vagus nerve is enveloped by a myelin layer, which ensures better and faster transmission of information between the brain and organs and vice versa. It is the most evolutionarily recent part of the autonomic nervous system and is shared with all mammals.

The dorsal (dorsal) branch of the vagus nerve is evolutionarily old, it is unmyelinated, information flows more slowly and we share it with reptiles. When a mammal detects an environmental threat, it may act with one of three stress responses : attack, escape or freeze.

Dr. Porges distinguishes between these three basic states :

1. Social engagement system - ventral vagal parasympathetic response. This system is important for learning, building relationships between people, communication, information exchange, healing, ensuring homeostasis in the body, ensuring recovery. It is possible at a low stress level, so it is a normal, relaxed and realistically carefree state.

2. Sympathetic reaction - mobilization. The stress reactions of attack and flight are manifested. The heart starts beating faster, storage substances (glycogen) in the liver are mobilized, body temperature rises, breathing accelerates and blood flow is preferentially redirected to parts of the body needed for defense or escape - brain, limbs. These physiological reactions are mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which we can think of as the accelerator pedal in a car.

3. Dorsal vagal sympathetic response - inhibition of function, we can imagine it as a brake pedal in a car. In its extreme form, it is immobilization in the freeze reaction when the organism perceives extreme danger and attack or escape is not possible or the organism has exhausted its strength. Freezing is a reptilian defense mechanism, but is quite dangerous for mammals because it can cause the heart rate to drop below the physiological threshold and insufficient oxygen supply to the brain and other organs. The consequence is death.

Of course, there are also intermediate stages where the sympathetic nerve interacts with the ventral branch of the vagus nerve and the individual is mobilized but does not register the danger. We need such states for collective sports, for wilder play among children and cubs, for dancing and other similar activities. Or conversely, relaxed states of safety, when the dorsal vagus and parasympathetic react in the process of contemplation, prayer, when we engage in yoga, in intimate touches and situations, during conception, when feeding the young, etc. In this immobilized state, tight bonds are formed and oxytocin is released. Very important is the ability of mammals to read each other's body language. This too is done on a subconscious basis and we get information in fractions of a second.

The expression on the upper half of the face is crucial to feeling safe. Its muscles are directly connected to the vagus nerve and its endings in the heart. So how can it help us in our relationships with animals, with our cats, how can it help us in felinotherapy ? I will try to bring you the answer to this question in a series of subsequent articles. I believe it will be beneficial to all those who love their animals, want to provide a safe and loving environment for them, and who want to create a strong bond with their animals based on mutual trust.