Vagus Nerve & High-Performance
Where neuroscience meets growth
Unlock Your Flow State with the Vagus Nerve
Unlock the Power of the Vagus Nerve and Transform Your Health. Explore the depths of Polyvagal Theory and its impact on performance, autoimmune diseases, anxiety, stress, and depression. Dive into our extensive Vagus Nerve Blog and Video Sections for a comprehensive understanding.
Discover the power of the vagus nerve, the only cranial nerve that connects your brain, heart, and digestive system. This nerve plays a crucial role in regulating our body's response to stress and has been a critical part of my personal journey to overcome PTSD, anxiety, and autoimmune diseases.
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges in the 1990s, offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of the vagus nerve and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in the human body's response to stress, trauma, and social interactions. The theory is based on the premise that the vagus nerve, which is the primary component of the parasympathetic branch of the ANS, has evolved to play a crucial role in regulating our emotional states and physiological responses.
The Polyvagal Theory posits that the vagus nerve has two branches:
Ventral Vagal Complex (VVC): This branch is associated with the "social engagement system" and is responsible for regulating positive emotions, fostering social connections, and supporting overall well-being. When the VVC is active, our bodies are in a state of safety, and we can engage in healthy social interactions.
Dorsal Vagal Complex (DVC): This branch is involved in the "freeze response," a primitive defense mechanism triggered by life-threatening situations. Activation of the DVC can lead to feelings of helplessness, immobilization, and dissociation from our surroundings.
The Polyvagal Theory suggests that the balance between these two branches determines how we respond to stress and trauma, and that by understanding this balance, we can develop strategies to help manage past traumas and improve overall vagal tone.
Improve Your Performance with Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Low vagal tone can lead to reduced cognitive function and a heightened fight-flight response. This can impact athletes, business leaders, and even the average person. By improving your vagal tone, you can enter a flow state, where you feel calm, focused, and in control.
"Psychological safety," according to Justin Caffrey, a global leader in the field, "is the ability to be one's self at work without fear of negative consequences to one's self-image, status, or career." It involves a shared belief among team members that "the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking." When employees feel accepted and respected in a psychologically safe environment, they are more likely to "show and employ" themselves, asking questions, offering ideas, and sharing comments without fear of being punished or judged.
The connection between psychological safety and the vagus nerve is crucial in terms of employee wellbeing and performance. "If you are suffering low vagal tone (HRV)," it is stated, "you cannot achieve psychological safety." Understanding the "neuroscience of performance" is key to creating high-performance teams, where psychological safety is deemed "the number #1 determining factor."
Psychological Safety & Vagus Nerve
When we better understand our own mind and body, we can offer greater empathy to our colleagues. This is where my passion for business, psychology, neuroscience and human compassion explode. We can rise our performance, increase our happiness and change the world!
Why does the vagus nerve matter when it comes to psychological safety at work?
Heal from Within with Vagus Nerve Support
After losing my son, I struggled with grief and a decline in my vagal tone, leading to anxiety, depression, and self-harm. But it doesn't have to be this way. I created this site and my YouTube channel to help others find the support they need, just like I did. Remember, we have the capacity to heal from within. Join me on this journey to better mental health and wellness. Justin Caffrey MSc.
If you would like to work directly with Justin you can reach his team at jc@justincaffrey.com
Why not Join the 21-day Vagus Nerve course?
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Justin Caffrey Global Ltd
Unit 11
Watson Johnson Business Centre
Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Ireland
Email
jc@justincaffrey.com
Phone
+353 (0)860490043