Polyvagal Theory and Trauma Release with Dr. Kimberly Hindman (part 1)

In this episode, Jill Brook interviews Dr. Kimberly Hindman about the concept of the cell danger response, the vagus nerve, and the limbic system's role in POTS, MCAS, and EDS. Dr. Hindman explains how these systems maintain health but can become maladaptive, leading to chronic symptoms. The discussion covers the three stages of the cell danger response and how threats can prevent healing by keeping cells in a danger state. Dr. Hindman explains the polyvagal theory, highlighting the vagus nerve's role in balancing the nervous system's states and how dysfunction can perpetuate symptoms. She links these mechanisms to hypervigilance and chronic illness, and teases practical exercises to address these issues, which will be discussed in the next part of the podcast. She emphasizes that these responses are not imagined but rooted in the autonomic nervous system and offers hope for addressing them through understanding and retraining.