Ann Marie here, and welcome again.
The Safe and Sound Protocol or (SSP) is a non-invasive auditory therapy based on The Polyvagal Theory. It uses filtered music to reduce stress, auditory sensitivity, and improve social engagement and resilience. It’s a listening therapy developed to unlock your ability to think, feel and connect better with others through nervous system regulation. The SSP isn't just music — it's a comprehensive approach to healing. The music of the SSP has been filtered through a patented, evidence-based algorithm that highlights specific sound frequencies that help regulate the autonomic nervous system and stimulate the vagus nerve.
What is the vagus nerve? Dr Stephen Porges, the creator of the Polyvagal Theory emphasizes the role the autonomic nervous system - especially the vagus nerve - plays in regulating our health and behavior. Remember that vlog? The theory describes the physiological/psychological states which underlie our daily behavior as well as challenges related to our wellness and mental health.
Let’s call the first state Relaxed and Safe. It’s the Ventral Vagal part of the nerve. Here we have normal heart rate and muscle tone. Just a snippet of our emotional state is feeling relaxed, engaged, curious, creative, and hopeful. We’ve got our thinking caps on in this state and we’re feeling good.
The next state is Mobilized and it is our our Sympathetic Nervous system. Here we have increased heart rate, blood pressure and hormone flow as well as increased muscle tone. When we are feeling safe the emotional landscape looks like feeling energetic, active, playful and motivated. If we are not feeling safe however, it looks like Fighit or Flight, stressed, anxious, and fearful.
Finally we come to the Immobilized State or Dorsal Vagal pathway. It is characterized by low heart rate, muscle tone and low energy. If we are feeling safe we might be blissful, dreamy, tranquil, and meditiative. If we are not feeling safe we will feel depressed, unhappy, lonely, and hopeless.
The vagus nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body and plays a vital role in many of the body's functions. It starts in the brainstem and travels down through the neck and into the chest and abdomen. The vagus nerve to recap is involved in regulating important bodily functions including breathing, heart rate, digestion, and immune response. It also plays a role in controlling mood, emotions, and social behavior.
Back to the SSP and what does this means for you as a listener? Stimulating the vagus nerve can have a calming effect on the body. Some commonly reported positive responses to the SSP therapy are: Easier and more spontaneous social connection; Better emotional control; and Improved access to executive functions and higher cognitive abilities. You may also see mprovements to your overall health such as: A greater focus and attention span; Improved learning; Enhanced language skills (expressive and receptive); Enhanced sleep; A reduction in pain levels; Lower anxiety; Better regulation of physiological state and Better results in other therapies you are provided.
The SSP by using our auditory nerves, provides us with another portal into the nervous system to build a foundation for awareness, embodiment, and resilience. What you need to access the SSP are over-the-ear headphones and your smart phone. Of course you will need a licensed and certified provider such as myself. You also need to be engaged in your own psychotherapy either with myself, or another therapist entirely. I can still provide the SSP. This is because the SSP is not a stand-alone therapy meaning you cannot access just that. It is an integrative therapy which means it is added on to your already existing psychotherapy and it can help it along as well as many other benefits you may have open up to you.
I have been excitedly watching the SSP help my own clients and there is a lot of information out there including evidence-based case studies. If you feel ready for more help or have any questions, you can contact me through my website. See you next time. 😊