It's easy to recognize that in spite of all the premises about languages, or tool-making, or art, the one thing that humans can do is work together intellectually, whether or not they've ever met, to extend their own being by feeling and thinking-with other humans. Denying empathy, trying to be unique and dominant is the path to oblivion and sometimes we dip close to it. Our dogma about the importance of exceptional individuals is not helpful.
The latest contribution to the struggle is the discovery that empathy -- not just sentimental sympathy -- comes from observing the "screen" we present to each other in our faces, postures, gestures. By watching each other, as closely as our pets watch us, as closely as the family of an abusive, explosive man watch him, we figure things out.
But how does that screen get written on, so plainly that it's hard to be a good poker player without suppressing it? Even then there are "tells". The autonomic nervous system is understood in terms of "sympathetic" in tension with "parasympathetic" effects. (These traditional names are not helpful.) But there is a third branch that runs direct from the brain to this facial screen we present about our feelings. And back again, so we can "read" the screen of the others present.
There's no transcript, no subtext, no captions. You start learning it at birth when everyone Is making faces at you, esp, Mom. The most visionary progressive people see this as the growing edge of evolution of humans -- increased skill at empathy. In addition, the ability to see each others' faces on technical electronic screens extends us, both our empathy and the commentary on it, even though we waste a lot of media space with explosions and lack of context.
This concept of the third vagal nerve ties the brain directly to the expression of emotion through heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and all the other things monitored by a lie detector which assumes lying makes you emotional. But that brain connection is shared with the connection to speaking and swallowing, vital and central parts of being human and being fed. If you have held an infant while feeding it, you know how it searches your face while it sucks and even coos to you when its mouth is empty. That's part of the evidence for the "talking cure", which is the elaboration of empathy with words. If you've been a lover, you know that not all that is expressed is in words -- the whole body talks.
Once, esp in Asia, this was known and elaborated. It is the present scientific method, the binary based arguments of so-called rationality (always distorted by the brain's emotion and assumptions) that have overwhelmed what was known about other modes. The knowledge of the existence of this third vagal nerve is so new that you can't very well find it via Google. Go to YouTube and ask for Dr. Stephen Porges. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec3AUMDjtKQ is a good example.
I use Dr. Porges as a guide because there is so much nonsense about this nerve system. It's hard to pick out what is significant, but he was working on this for decades before some sensation-seeker blew it up. I'm only starting to figure it out myself. Below is some global info about this vagus nerve.
_______________________
Sensory functions of the vagus nerve include:
- providing somatic sensation information for the skin behind the ear, the external part of the ear canal, and certain parts of the throat
- supplying visceral sensation information for the larynx, esophagus, lungs, trachea, heart, and most of the digestive tract
- playing a small role in the sensation of taste near the root of the tongue
Motor functions of the vagus nerve include:
- stimulating muscles in the pharynx, larynx, and the soft palate, which is the fleshy area near the back of the roof of the mouth
- stimulating muscles in the heart, where it helps to lower resting heart rate
- stimulating involuntary contractions in the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and most of the intestines, which allow food to move through the tract.
Vagus nerve problems
Nerve damage
Damage to the vagus nerve can have a range of symptoms because the nerve is so long and affects many areas.
Potential symptoms of damage to the vagus nerve include:
- difficulty speaking or loss of voice
- a voice that is hoarse or wheezy
- trouble drinking liquids
- loss of the gag reflex
- pain in the ear
- unusual heart rate
- abnormal blood pressure
- decreased production of stomach acid
- nausea or vomiting
- abdominal bloating or pain
The symptoms someone might have depend on what part of the nerve is damaged.
Gastroparesis
Experts believe that damage to the vagus nerve may also cause a condition called gastroparesis. This condition affects the involuntary contractions of the digestive system, which prevents the stomach from properly emptying.
Symptoms of gastroparesis include:
- nausea or vomiting, especially vomiting undigested food hours after eating
- loss of appetite or feeling full shortly after starting a meal
- acid reflux
- abdominal pain or bloating
- unexplained weight loss
- fluctuations in blood sugar
Vasovagal syncope
Sometimes the vagus nerve overreacts to certain stress triggers, such as:
- exposure to extreme heat
- fear of bodily harm
- the sight of blood or having blood drawn
- straining, including trying to having a bowel movement
- standing for a long time
Remember, the vagus nerve stimulates certain muscles in the heart that help to slow heart rate. When it overreacts, it can cause a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, resulting in fainting. This is known as vasovagal syncope.
No comments:
Post a Comment