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The Safe and Sound protocol is another way into the nervous system to bring teach social and emotional well-being, This a 5-hour listening therapy, developed by eminent scientist Dr. Stephen Proges, who wrote the now-famous book the Poly-Vagal Theory. His program promotes deeper wellness for people with adverse experiences or conditions, such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or any early life trauma challenges or Long Covid.
I am a certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider, I completed my training in 2021
and I recommend this programme together with the ABM and BMC lessons I offer to anyone who has severe trauma, stress or anxiety. This can hugely increase the benefit of the lessons. and also bring its own unique outcome for positive change.
This program uses filtered music to strengthen the vagal tone, by working one small ear muscle, which creates a state of learning or relearning safety, meaning we can operate at our highest levels of social and emotional well-being.
Those challenged by learning and developmental difficulties or mental health issues are realizing that improvement is dependent on our emotional state. If we're worried and feeling unsafe, our defences go up, and whatever activity or therapy we're engaged in can be less effective.
Finding balance means regulating the nervous system to flexibility and appropriately responding to challenges.
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At the core of Polyvagal Theory lies the vagus nerve. Running from the brainstem deep into the gut, the vagus nerve serves as the primary parasympathetic, and longest nerve in the body.
By sending signals of safety to the vagus nerve, we authorize it to downregulate fight, flight or freeze defensive responses and support a relaxed and clear headspace.
There are several portals by which we are able to reach the vagus nerve. The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) capitalizes upon the connection between the vagus and the nerves involved in listening to facilitate a parasympathetic shift.
​The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the primary regulator of important systems in our body, including our heart, respiration rate and digestion. It's constantly sending and receiving information between the brain and body, helping us respond to changes in our internal and external environment.Our ANS is largely influenced by a nerve that is hugely important to our overall well-being: the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, stretching from the brainstem all the way down to the stomach.
Heavily simplified, Porges’ provides a more complex understanding of the ANS by identifying a three-part hierarchical system that keeps the sympathetic system, and details two distinct pathways of the Vagal nerve (very-important-nerve-super-highway that is the main component of the parasympathetic system):
Dr. Porges further delineated how these three systems work together, and outlined a coherent system of communication, regulation, and social engagement that operates within the autonomic nervous system. Within this system, he notes that the parasympathetic system is both our system for immobilization AND our system of connection - which extends beyond what we previously understood.
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The Dorsal Vagus: Brings us out of connection into immobilization.
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The Ventral Vagus: Brings us into connection and co-regulation through the Social Engagement System.
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