Vagus Nerve Activation Series | EMDR Music Bilateral Beats #polyvagaltheory #somatictherapy
52 videos • 461 views • by Maggie Kelly LPC | Somatic EMDR Welcome—this multi hour-long audio series guides you in switching on the body’s built-in calm button, the vagus nerve. Each 60-minute track blends slow, left-to-right EMDR beats with breath-paced tones that ease your nervous system into rest-and-digest mode (Porges, 2011). Slip on stereo headphones and notice the softening in chest, jaw, and belly—tiny cues that your vagal brake is engaging (Kolacz & Porges, 2018). How to Use Set the scene. Find a safe, quiet spot and put on stereo headphones. Sync your breath. Inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6; the longer out-breath boosts vagal tone. Follow the sway. Let the gentle left-right rhythm anchor you; when thoughts drift, calmly return to the sound and your breath. Body-scan. Observe softer jaw, warmer hands, slower pulse—notice without judging. Pause if needed. If discomfort or strong memories arise, open your eyes, orient to the room, and stop the audio. Integrate. After the hour, give yourself a minute of stillness—stretch, sip water, or jot a quick note. Use strategically. Play a track upon waking to blunt the cortisol spike, as a mid-day reset, or before bed to prepare for sleep. Consistency deepens the calming effect. Why It Helps Bilateral auditory stimulation lowers autonomic arousal and supports emotion processing in trauma care (EMDR Institute, 2024). Low-frequency rhythms raise heart-rate variability, a marker of vagal tone linked to resilience and mood regulation (Thoma et al., 2013). If intense memories surface, pause, ground yourself, and consider consulting a licensed therapist. These tracks complement—but don’t replace—professional care. Press play, breathe, and let each hour-long bilateral wave carry you toward steadier safety.