Trauma & Survival Physiology

Nervous system education, polyvagal theory, ACE study

Can focusing on body sensations lead to more nervous system dysregulation?

2024-07-20T10:06:31-07:00Healing Trauma, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Nervous System Health, Nervous System Resiliency, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today’s share is another in my series of short vlogs to address specific questions, like this one: "Can focusing on sensations also lead to even more dysregulation (i.e., focusing on the breath when in freeze, focussing on butterflies in tummy when hyperaroused) because it kind of emphasizes the [...]

A simple visual story to explain integration

2024-07-01T12:48:41-07:00Healing Trauma, Healthy Nervous System Lifestyle, Irene's Musings, Nervous System Health, Nervous System Resiliency, SmartBody SmartMind, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

I will be speaking more about integration this year, and here’s why: Integration is now another word being thrown around out there in the trauma, somatic, and plant medicine worlds. And yet it seems a lot of folks are downright confused about what it actually means. Here are [...]

The double-edged sword of Rx meds for “healing” ADD with Selden Beylouni

2024-07-06T14:47:11-07:00Chemical Trauma & Detox, Healing Trauma, Healthy Nervous System Lifestyle, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Nervous System Health, Nervous System Resiliency, Parenting & Child Development, pharmaceuticals, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today, I’ve got a NEW interview with SBSM alum, Selden Beylouni to share and it is JUICY. :) So set aside some time for this one, grab a cuppa, and dive into our multi-layered chat! A few highlights from our conversation: Selden’s “long-term relationship” with stimulant meds (and [...]

The connection between concussion recovery & healing shock trauma

2024-06-26T14:41:25-07:00Healing Trauma, Nervous System Health, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today’s share offers a physiological perspective on the impact of traumatic brain injury. In other words: how this kind of shock trauma can affect much more than just the brain, head, and neck, and how – when done with awareness – nervous system and somatic work can help [...]

Have we “hijacked” the vagus nerve?

2024-06-26T10:29:07-07:00Healing Trauma, Healthy Nervous System Lifestyle, Nervous System Health, Nervous System Resiliency, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today’s share is all about the vagus nerve and how it connects to nervous system regulation. There’s a virtual maelstrom of information and advice about the vagus nerve available online, not to mention devices to stimulate and "tone" this entire nerve, so as to regulate and "heal" it [...]

Marathon Q&A with Irene Lyon

2024-06-16T00:43:40-07:00Healing Trauma, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Pain & Chronic Illness, Special Topic Lectures & Q&As, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today, I’ve got a Marathon Q&A for you. But it’s more than just another Q&A amongst the many (so many!) that I’ve done over the years. I’m sharing this particular Q&A at this particular time for a specific reason (more on that below)...  First, a couple quick notes [...]

When you try to heal your trauma before building nervous system capacity

2024-05-30T21:49:48-07:00Healing Trauma, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Pain & Chronic Illness, Special Topic Lectures & Q&As, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

What is the trouble with trying to heal your trauma before building nervous system capacity?  Billy Bob tells it like it is: And I’ll add:  I am certain that if I had only had access to what I teach others now... That my long-ass [...]

Is daycare a good idea? Breaking down a controversial video I shared on Instagram.

2024-05-22T14:01:49-07:00Healing Trauma, Nervous System Health, Parenting & Child Development, Relationships & Social Connection, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Every now and then, I share something on my social media channels that’s a bit controversial. I always share these things with the intention to educate and inform, from a trauma and nervous system POV, on a topic that I believe is important, not to be provocative just [...]

Joe Dispenza: A Case Study. Why some healing methods work for some, and not others.

2024-05-18T17:57:41-07:00Healing Trauma, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Nervous System Health, Practitioners & Professionals, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Recently, a member of my online community asked: "Hey Irene. Why do methods like what Joe Dispenza shares work for some but not for others?" GREAT question! Today’s video (originally a livestream) is my answer, with a little help from the late Edgar Cayce. While I’ve never met [...]

Somatic-based healing for addiction recovery with Rachel Martin

2024-05-06T12:59:40-07:00Addiction and Recovery, Healing Trauma, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Suppressed anger, parental (mis)attunement, and… Is addiction really genetic?  These are the kinds of big topics and questions I discuss with drug rehab counsellor, Rachel Martin, in our NEW long-form chat, titled ‘Somatic-based healing for addiction recovery.’ Rachel is a SmartBody SmartMind (SBSM) alum as well as a [...]