How does physiology influence mental processes and behaviour? I have asked this question as I studied children from birth including those with developmental challenges such as prematurity, Fragile-X-Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Selective Mutism, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Prader Willi Syndrome 6 with a common focus on identifying mechanisms that influence the regulation of behaviour and emotions. Based on my research, I developed the Polyvagal Theory, 7, 8, 9 which explores how neural circuits involved in the regulation of our bodily organs influence emotional responses and behaviours toward others and our environment.
There is now an abundance of research documenting that the regulation of behavioural and emotional state is mediated by the autonomic nervous system through neural pathways originating in the brainstem that communicate with organs in our body forming a bi-directional brain-body neural highway. When this system is functioning optimally, we can self-regulate and welcome others to co-regulate through social behaviour.
