Discover the science behind the Safe and Sound Protocol

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was designed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on decades of research that is now known as the Polyvagal Theory.

To understand the science behind the SSP, it can help to first understand our own body and the nervous system.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Our involuntary bodily functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion, are regulated by the autonomic nervous system, which has two parts that work together to help us ebb and flow through life: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

You can think of the sympathetic nervous system as a mobilisation system that supports our "fight-or-flight" responses. It works like an accelerator, mobilising internal resources in response to danger. When this happens, you might notice an increase in your heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, tension in your neck and shoulders, and feelings of anxiety.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The parasympathetic nervous system is classically called the "rest-and-digest" state, which helps us heal, recover and conserve energy when we feel safe. (Keep in mind that your "fight-or-flight" state and your "rest-and-digest" state may look different from someone else's.)

Your autonomic nervous system is always asking the question, "Am I safe?"

But what if it's tuned to feel unsafe?

Polyvagal Theory: Revolutionising the way we view the body’s response to stress

According to Polyvagal Theory, the autonomic nervous system is the foundation of our well-being. Through Dr. Porges' Polyvagal Theory, we now understand that the vagus nerve — an essential component of the parasympathetic nervous system — has two structural pathways with different functions.

When we feel safe

When we feel safe, one branch of the parasympathetic nervous system supports our ability to connect socially with others, to better access our higher brain functions and to have balanced, efficient and healthy bodily systems. In what Polyvagal Theory calls the "Social Engagement State," we feel calm, connected and more resilient to life's challenges.

When we don't feel safe

When we don’t feel safe, our autonomic nervous system responds by taking action. In this state, you might notice anxiety, fast breathing, and feeling hot or quick to anger. If the feeling that we are not safe does not go away, another branch of the parasympathetic nervous system will shut us down. In this state, you might notice extreme fatigue, difficulty with digestion or feelings of depression. This is our body doing its best to conserve our resources to keep us alive.

The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck.

So, what could it look like to "get stuck?"

Because your nervous system feels unsafe, it becomes harder to “tune in” to cues of safety.

Autonomic
Feedback
Loop

Cues from other people, the environment, and from inside your body tell your nervous system it is not safe.

Your nervous system mobilises (“fight or flight”) or shuts down in response.

What does dysregulation look like?

The autonomic nervous system regulates many of our essential bodily functions. When the autonomic nervous system is challenged to access a "safe" state, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

Difficulty with digestion, eating or swallowing

Difficulty with falling and staying asleep, or sleeping too much

Challenges connecting with other people, feelings of isolation or loneliness, and anxiety

Trouble with concentrating, mental clarity, or creativity

This is where the Safe and Sound Protocol comes in.

When you listen to the SSP, the music is working to interrupt this feedback loop, redirecting it with cues of safety to help regulate your nervous system. Through nervous system regulation, you are then better equipped and more ready to respond more effectively to life's challenges, access higher learning and cognition, and build positive social relationships.

Speak to us about the Safe and Sound Protocol today.

Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium, as well as Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland.

He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award.

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The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was designed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on decades of research that is now known as the Polyvagal Theory.

To understand the science behind the SSP, it can help to first understand our own body and the nervous system.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic Nervous System

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Your autonomic nervous system is always asking the question, "Am I safe?"

But what if it's tuned to feel unsafe?

When we feel safe

When we don't feel safe

The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck.

So, what could it look like to "get stuck?"

Autonomic
Feedback
Loop

Cues from other people, the environment, and from inside your body tell your nervous system it is not safe.

Your nervous system mobilises (“fight or flight”) or shuts down in response.

Because your nervous system feels unsafe, it becomes harder to “tune in” to cues of safety.

What does dysregulation look like?

Difficulty with digestion, eating or swallowing

Difficulty with falling and staying asleep, or sleeping too much

Challenges connecting with other people, feelings of isolation or loneliness, and anxiety

Trouble with concentrating, mental clarity, or creativity

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Who we are

About Brainworks

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Discover the science behind the Safe and Sound Protocol

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was designed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on decades of research that is now known as the Polyvagal Theory.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic Nervous System

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Your autonomic nervous system is always asking the question, "Am I safe?"

Polyvagal Theory: Revolutionising the way we view the body’s response to stress

When we feel safe

When we don't feel safe

The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck.

So, what could it look like to "get stuck?"

What does dysregulation look like?

This is where the Safe and Sound Protocol comes in.

Speak to us about the Safe and Sound Protocol today.

What is neuroplasticity?

Butterflies helped me to retrain my brain

What is LoRETA neurofeedback?

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was designed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on decades of research that is now known as the Polyvagal Theory.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic Nervous System

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Your autonomic nervous system is always asking the question, "Am I safe?"

When we feel safe

When we don't feel safe

The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck.

So, what could it look like to "get stuck?"

What does dysregulation look like?

This is where the Safe and Sound Protocol comes in.

Speak to us about the Safe and Sound Protocol today.

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Our Clinics & prices

Who we are

About Brainworks

For adults

For children

For Neurofeedback professionals

Supporting services

Discover the science behind the Safe and Sound Protocol

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was designed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on decades of research that is now known as the Polyvagal Theory.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic Nervous System

Parasympathetic Nervous System

​Your autonomic nervous system is always asking the question, "Am I safe?"

Polyvagal Theory: Revolutionising the way we view the body’s response to stress

When we feel safe

When we don't feel safe

The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck. ​ So, what could it look like to "get stuck?"

What does dysregulation look like?

This is where the Safe and Sound Protocol comes in.

Speak to us about the Safe and Sound Protocol today.

What is neuroplasticity?

Butterflies helped me to retrain my brain

What is LoRETA neurofeedback?

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was designed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on decades of research that is now known as the Polyvagal Theory.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic Nervous System

Parasympathetic Nervous System

​Your autonomic nervous system is always asking the question, "Am I safe?"

When we feel safe

When we don't feel safe

The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck. ​ So, what could it look like to "get stuck?"

What does dysregulation look like?

This is where the Safe and Sound Protocol comes in.

Speak to us about the Safe and Sound Protocol today.

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Your autonomic nervous system is always asking the question, "Am I safe?"

The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck.

So, what could it look like to "get stuck?"

Your autonomic nervous system is always asking the question, "Am I safe?"

The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and even inside our bodies, that tell us if we are safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck.

So, what could it look like to "get stuck?"

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