July 26 9a-6p Central
Dive even deeper into Vagal Tone
Just like Greg did with the Lymphatic classes, we are going to focus in on different areas for Vagal Tone.
Starting with Tuning into Your Divine Calm: #2 Memory and Brain Fatigue, Plus More!
Tuning into your Divine Calm #2
The vagal tone and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) dystonia have profound effects on memory, brain fog, cognitive function, asthenia, and stress mechanisms. Both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems play critical roles in regulating physical and psychological processes, but when either system becomes dysregulated, they can lead to disruptions in these areas, contributing to a range of symptoms that impact an individual’s mental clarity, energy levels, and ability to cope with stress.
The vagus nerve is a major component of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which is responsible for rest, recovery, and the healing processes within the body. Vagal tone refers to the activity of the vagus nerve and reflects how well the body is able to regulate itself after periods of stress. Higher vagal tone is associated with better emotional regulation, mental clarity, and physical recovery, while lower vagal tone is linked to a number of negative health effects.
1.1. Vagal Tone and Cognitive Function
High vagal tone promotes brain health, particularly in areas such as the hippocampus (responsible for memory) and the prefrontal cortex (involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and focus). High vagal tone supports cognitive function, helping with learning, memory retention, and mental clarity.
Low vagal tone, however, is linked to impaired brain function, memory difficulties, and cognitive sluggishness, as the body’s recovery process is compromised. This leads to difficulty in concentrating, retaining information, and making decisions, contributing to brain fog.
1.2. Vagal Tone and Brain Fog
Brain fog is a condition characterized by mental confusion, lack of focus, and cognitive fatigue. Low vagal tone makes it difficult for the body to recover and regulate the nervous system after stressful situations. When vagal tone is low, the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for the fight-or-flight response) stays overactive, preventing the brain from returning to a calm and restorative state. This persistent stress and mental overload result in brain fog, where individuals feel mentally drained, sluggish, and unable to think clearly.
1.3. Vagal Tone and Stress Regulation
A well-regulated vagal tone helps to down-regulate the body’s stress response by activating the parasympathetic system, which calms the body and promotes recovery after stress. High vagal tone facilitates smooth transitions between the fight-or-flight state (SNS activation) and the rest-and-digest state (PNS activation). When vagal tone is low, it can result in prolonged stress responses, making it harder for the body to return to a state of balance and relaxation, contributing to chronic stress, emotional instability, and reduced ability to handle daily challenges.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for preparing the body for fight-or-flight responses, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness during stressful situations. SNS dystonia refers to a condition where the SNS becomes overactive or dysregulated, leading to persistent hyperarousal and chronic stress. This results in an inability to effectively down-regulate the stress response, leading to long-term physiological and psychological effects.
2.1. SNS Dystonia and Cognitive Function
SNS dystonia leads to chronic sympathetic over activation, which elevates cortisol (the stress hormone) levels. Prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol can damage areas of the brain responsible for memory, particularly the hippocampus, impairing both short-term memory and cognitive processing.
Mental fatigue, slowed thinking, and difficulty focusing are common in SNS dystonia. Chronic activation of the SNS leads to cognitive overload, where the brain struggles to process information effectively due to being in a constant state of fight-or-flight.
2.2. SNS Dystonia and Brain Fog
Similar to low vagal tone, SNS dystonia contributes to brain fog by keeping the body in a perpetual stress state, preventing the brain from achieving mental clarity. The constant release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline from SNS overactivity disrupts the brain’s ability to think clearly, leading to mental fog, difficulty concentrating, and memory lapses. Additionally, this prolonged activation of the SNS can make it harder for individuals to filter out distractions, further contributing to cognitive sluggishness.
2.3. SNS Dystonia and Stress Regulation
In SNS dystonia, the body remains in a constant state of high alert due to sympathetic overactivity, impairing the natural shift from the fight-or-flight response to the rest-and-digest mode. This causes chronic stress, which exhausts the body over time. When the body fails to recover from stress effectively, it leads to emotional instability, irritability, fatigue, and reduced resilience. The inability to properly regulate stress also leads to adrenal fatigue, where the body’s stress response system becomes depleted.
Asthenia refers to chronic physical weakness and fatigue often associated with mental exhaustion, and it is frequently seen in both low vagal tone and SNS dystonia. Individuals experiencing asthenia often report a lack of energy, persistent tiredness, and difficulty completing everyday tasks. This condition is closely tied to the body’s inability to recover from stress, leading to a sense of exhaustion and mental burnout.
3.1. Asthenia and Low Vagal Tone
Low vagal tone impairs the restorative processes that the parasympathetic system is responsible for, leaving the body in a constant state of tension. This results in fatigue, as the body cannot shift effectively from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state to a parasympathetic (rest-and-recovery) state. The physical and mental exhaustion associated with asthenia is a consequence of this dysregulation, and it often manifests as chronic tiredness, lack of motivation, and difficulty maintaining energy levels throughout the day.
3.2. Asthenia and SNS Dystonia
When the SNS is overactive, the body’s resources are constantly being drained due to persistent stress responses. This causes adrenal burnout, leading to asthenia, where the individual feels physically drained and mentally fatigued, even with minimal exertion. This can also manifest as chronic fatigue syndrome, where individuals experience debilitating weakness and lack of energy despite proper rest or sleep.
The balance between vagal tone and SNS activation is essential for healthy stress regulation. When both vagal tone is low and SNS activation is dysregulated, the body is in a chronic state of stress, which not only impairs the cognitive function and memory but also leads to mental fog and physical fatigue (asthenia). This creates a cycle of stress-induced cognitive impairment, where the individual finds it difficult to focus, think clearly, and engage in normal daily tasks, exacerbating feelings of mental exhaustion and lack of clarity.
Line 1
Single Oils: lemongrass, origanum, rosemary, tarragon, savory, sage, ravensara
Blends: Asthenia
Line 2
Single Oils: Thyme Geraniol, Camphor, Black Spruce, Sea Pine, Patchouli, Frankincense Vital, Lime, Opopanox
Blends: Dystonia
Line 3
Single Oils: Frankincense, White Spruce, Sitka, Japanese Cedar, Himalayan Cedar, Taiwanese Cedar, Galbanum, Palo Santo
Blends: Relaxation
Line 4
Single Oils: Clary Sage, Neroli, Melissa, Dark Blue Tansy, Blue Cypress, German Chamomile
Blends: Storms
Storms 5ml rollerball
Dystonia 5ml rollerball
Asthenia 5ml rollerball
Relaxation Blend 5ml rollerball
Storms Thera-lotion 4oz
Tagates Foot ointment 1oz
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