Why non-dumbed-down nervous system education is essential

I believe that every human being deserves access to nervous system education.

And not just the basics.

I’m talking about deep learning at the neurophysiological, biological, chemical, threat response, environmental, social engagement, vagus nerve, parasympathetic, autonomic nervous system levels—all of it.

And, to be honest, my opinion is a bit subversive in the health and healing worlds.

It can also come as a bit of a shock to some of my newer students hoping for a quick fix.

So today, I wanted to show you exactly why I believe that non-dumbed-down nervous system education is essential for healing.

I also wanted to share a few words from one of my SmartBody SmartMind alumni, Kait, that support my thesis beautifully. (Note: she initially came to this work after a traumatic birth experience.)

“About a month after his birth, I began experiencing symptoms of complex PTSD. Of course, I didn’t know to label it as such at the time. The medical community had no answers for what was causing my “mystery” symptoms: chronic pain, insomnia, blurry vision, tinnitus, burning skin, body rashes, amenorrhea, and a never-ending loop of terror and despair.

I was desperate to find a way to be present with my son. For the first two years of his life, I used every spare second searching for answers and pursuing healing modalities like talk therapy, CBT, SSRIs, pain reprocessing therapy, naturopathy, energy healing, acupuncture, essential oils, strict elimination diets, coffee enemas, supplements, Lyme healing protocols, visits to all of the “ologists,” and prayer to a God I no longer believed in.

I remember exactly where I was when Irene Lyon’s words sunk in for the first time—when I realized that what I was experiencing wasn’t wrong. That it wasn’t a sign of weakness or inherent brokenness. Her 3-part video training brought me to tears. I recognized it immediately as the truth I’d been searching for since my son was born. I dove deep into Irene’s free content, began the 21-Day Nervous System Tune-Up in January of 2021, and enrolled in SBSM that March.

My healing journey is far from over. It’s messy and multilayered and ongoing. But never again will I be in the dark. Irene Lyon gifted me with the education and context I was so desperately searching for. Thank you, Irene, for following your impulse to provide this non-dumbed nervous system education. It was exactly what I needed to keep going. My son and I are forever grateful.”

Many of my students spend a long time (even a lifetime) searching for the root cause of their struggles and solutions that stick.

They deserve the truth. The whole truth. So do you.

* * *

Resources I Share in the Vlog:

VIDEO: Why the nervous system is essential

VIDEO: The different kinds of nervous systems

VIDEO: Polyvagal Theory Explained

VIDEO: All Things Polyvagal Q&A

VIDEO: Polyvagal & phylogenetics in action

VIDEO: Orienting

VIDEO: Healing a hurt soul (interview with Chris Dierkes)

VIDEO: Past life trauma (interview with Janet Raftis)