The Birth of the Polyvagal Community: A Self-Sustaining Network of Influence
Despite much scientific scrutiny, Stephen W. Porges’s Polyvagal Theory (PVT) has taken off big time in therapy and psychology. Originally a neurobiological theory about the vagus nerve, emotional regulation, and social behavior, PVT has evolved into a broad framework for psychotherapy, trauma healing, and somatic practices. But PVT didn’t emerge in a vacuum. Its conceptual roots go back to old hierarchical models of evolution and brain function.
1. The Evolutionary Roots of Polyvagal Theory
From Aristotle’s Scala Naturae, which ranking of life put humans above animals, to Darwin’s evolutionary framework, ideas of biological progression have been shaping our understanding of human physiology for a long time. Sigmund Freud continued this tradition by proposing a layered model of the mind, which later influenced Paul MacLean’s triune brain theory – that the human brain evolved in stages from reptilian to mammalian structures.
Porges’ Polyvagal Theory builds on this lineage, proposing a three-tiered autonomic nervous system evolutionary hierarchy. According to PVT, the so-called “primitive” dorsal vagal system coexists with a more advanced, myelinated ventral vagal system unique to mammals. However, modern neuroscience is challenging hierarchical brain and nervous system evolution models. Yet PVT has flourished – not through scientific validation but through creating a self-sustaining community. This review will explore how the polyvagal community emerged, how it works, and why it continues to thrive despite criticism from the scientific community.
2. The Structure of the Polyvagal Community
The Polyvagal Community operates through concentric circles of influence, each level of engagement from early adopters and advocates to a broader network of therapists, educators, and commercial enterprises.
2.1 The Nucleus: Porges and His Immediate Network
At the heart of the Polyvagal Community is Stephen W. Porges himself, supported by his family, especially his wife, Sue Carter, and his sons. Carter, a scientist in her own right, has done research on oxytocin and attachment which indirectly lends credibility to PVT. This nucleus is the intellectual and personal foundation of the theory, shaping its direction and public face.
2.2 The First Circle: Early Promoters and Allies
Before 2000, PVT was unknown. Key figures in trauma therapy – Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score), and Pat Ogden (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy) – brought PVT into their work. These pioneers saw PVT as a neurobiological explanation for trauma reactions and helped popularize it in the therapy world. Porges himself didn’t initially focus on trauma, but the support of these influential clinicians created an entry point for PVT into the trauma conversation.
2.3 The Second Circle: Established Authors and Clinicians
After PVT entered trauma therapy, a second wave of established authors and clinicians expanded its reach. Authors like Daniel Siegel, Allan Schore, Gabor Maté, Norman Doidge, and Deb Dana brought PVT into their work, taking it beyond trauma therapy into mindfulness, interpersonal neurobiology, and self-help. The endorsement of these well-known thinkers provided further legitimacy, especially as W.W. Norton, a major publisher, consistently referenced PVT in their best-selling psychology books.
2.4 The Third Circle: Commercialization and Mainstream Dissemination
Beyond academia and professional therapy, PVT has entered the mainstream wellness world. Organizations like the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM) and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISC) promote PVT through workshops, online courses, and certification programs. Meanwhile, self-help books, online influencers, and holistic health practitioners have adopted the PVT language and expanded its reach.
3. Narrative Science and Marketing: The Keys to PVT’s Success
One reason for PVT’s success is that it is an accessible narrative rather than a scientific framework. The theory presents an intuitive and emotionally resonant explanation of stress, trauma, and social engagement, making it appealing to therapists and laypeople alike. The rise of trauma-focused discourse in psychology and self-help has created a market for PVT’s claims. This concept of “narrative science” refers to storytelling and intuitive explanations to make complex scientific concepts more accessible and engaging. Publishers, especially W.W. Norton, have played a big role in PVT’s visibility. The strategic cross-referencing of authors in trauma and psychotherapy literature has created a self-reinforcing cycle: PVT provides a neurobiological basis for trauma therapy. Trauma therapists cite PVT to justify their interventions. This has cemented PVT’s place in the therapy world regardless of its scientific validity. W.W. Norton’s influence in the psychology world and their publication of books referencing PVT has contributed to its visibility and acceptance in the therapeutic community.
4. Scientific Challenges and Criticism
Despite its popularity, PVT has faced much criticism from neuroscientists and physiologists. Experts like Paul Grossman, Edwin Taylor, and Wolfgang Neuhuber have systematically disassembled PVT’s assumptions, arguing that its claims about the vagus nerve, heart rate variability, and social engagement lack empirical evidence. Comparative neuroanatomists like Nieuwenhuys, Kaas, and Striedter have also pointed out that PVT ignores fundamental principles of vertebrate brain evolution.
Many researchers don’t engage with PVT at all. Established neuroscientists publish research on the autonomic nervous system without referencing PVT. This means it’s still outside the mainstream of science.
5. PVT persists: Why does it?
If PVT faces so much scientific criticism, why does it continue to thrive? Several factors contribute to its persistence:
Emotional and Intuitive Appeal: The theory provides a simple and intuitive explanation for complex psychological phenomena, making it attractive and engaging to practitioners and patients and adding to the sense of community.
Therapeutic Utility: Many therapists find PVT not just attractive but also practical in practice, a structured way to talk about trauma, stress, and self-regulation even if it’s weak scientifically.
Commercial and Institutional Support: The widespread commercialization of PVT, from training programs to books and workshops, has created financial incentives to promote it.
Self-Sustaining Community: The network of authors, trainers, and institutions forms a feedback loop that reinforces PVT’s legitimacy, making it hard to dislodge.
6. Conclusion: A Theory in Two Worlds
PVT lives in two worlds: one where it’s seen as a revolutionary framework in therapy and another where it’s largely ignored by mainstream neuroscience. PVT’s success isn’t because of its scientific integrity but because of its dissemination through a network of clinicians, educators, and commercial enterprises. This is how psychological theories get traction through alliances, narratives, and market forces rather than science. PVT may not withstand scientific scrutiny, but its influence in the therapy and self-help world shows no signs of slowing down.
The Birth of the Polyvagal Community: A Self-Sustaining Network of Influence
The Polyvagal Theory (PVT), developed by Stephen W. Porges, has gained remarkable traction in the therapeutic and psychological fields despite considerable scientific scrutiny. Initially formulated as a neurobiological theory explaining the vagus nerve's role in emotional regulation and social behavior, PVT has since evolved into a broad framework influencing psychotherapy, trauma healing, and somatic practices. However, PVT did not emerge in a vacuum. Its conceptual roots can be traced to long-standing hierarchical models of evolution and brain function.
1. The Evolutionary Roots of Polyvagal Theory
From Aristotle’s Scala Naturae, which depicted a hierarchical classification of life placing humans above animals, to Darwin’s evolutionary framework, ideas of biological progression have long shaped our understanding of human physiology. Sigmund Freud continued this tradition by proposing a layered model of the mind, which later influenced Paul MacLean’s triune brain theory—suggesting that the human brain evolved in distinct stages from reptilian to mammalian structures.
Porges’ Polyvagal Theory builds on this lineage, proposing a three-tiered autonomic nervous system evolutionary hierarchy. According to PVT, the so-called “primitive” dorsal vagal system coexists with a more advanced, myelinated ventral vagal system unique to mammals. However, modern neuroscience increasingly challenges hierarchical brain and nervous system evolution models. Despite these challenges, PVT has flourished—not through scientific validation but through forming a self-sustaining community. This review explores how the polyvagal community emerged, how it functions, and why it continues to thrive despite criticism from the scientific community.
2. The Structure of the Polyvagal Community
The Polyvagal Community operates through concentric circles of influence, each representing a different level of engagement, from early adopters and advocates to a broader network of therapists, educators, and commercial enterprises.
2.1 The Nucleus: Porges and His Immediate Network
At the core of the Polyvagal Community is Stephen W. Porges himself, supported by his family, particularly his wife, Sue Carter, and his sons. Carter, a distinguished scientist, has contributed research on oxytocin and attachment, indirectly lending credibility to PVT. This nucleus serves as the intellectual and personal foundation of the theory, shaping its trajectory and public reception.
2.2 The First Circle: Early Promoters and Allies
Prior to 2000, PVT was relatively unknown. However, key figures in trauma therapy—notably Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score), and Pat Ogden (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy)—played a crucial role in integrating PVT into their work. These pioneers viewed PVT as a neurobiological explanation for trauma reactions, helping to popularize it within psychotherapy. While Porges himself did not initially focus on trauma, the support of these influential clinicians created an entry point for PVT into trauma discourse.
2.3 The Second Circle: Established Advocates and Thought Leaders
Following its integration into trauma therapy, a second wave of established authors and clinicians expanded PVT’s reach. Figures such as Daniel Siegel, Allan Schore, Gabor Maté, Norman Doidge, and Deb Dana incorporated PVT into their work, extending its influence beyond trauma therapy into mindfulness, interpersonal neurobiology, and self-help. The endorsement of these well-known thinkers provided further legitimacy, especially as W.W. Norton, a major publisher, systematically included PVT references in its best-selling psychology books.
2.4 The Third Circle: Commercialization and Popular Dissemination
Beyond academia and professional therapy, PVT has entered mainstream wellness culture. Organizations such as the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM) and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISC) promote PVT through workshops, online courses, and certification programs. Meanwhile, self-help books, online influencers, and holistic health practitioners have adopted PVT’s language, further expanding its reach.
3. Narrative Science and Marketing: The Keys to PVT’s Success
One of the key reasons for PVT’s success is its accessibility as a compelling narrative rather than a rigorous scientific framework. The theory presents an intuitive and emotionally resonant explanation of stress, trauma, and social engagement, making it attractive to therapists and laypeople alike. Moreover, the rise of trauma-focused discourse in psychology and self-help has created a receptive audience for PVT’s claims.
Publishers, particularly W.W. Norton, have played a crucial role in shaping PVT’s visibility. The strategic cross-referencing of authors in trauma and psychotherapy literature has created a self-reinforcing cycle: PVT provides a neurobiological basis for trauma therapy. In contrast, trauma therapists cite PVT to justify their interventions. This dynamic has solidified PVT’s presence in psychotherapy, regardless of its scientific validity.
4. Scientific Challenges and Criticism
Despite its popularity, PVT has faced considerable criticism from neuroscientists and physiologists. Experts such as Paul Grossman, Edwin Taylor, and Wolfgang Neuhuber have systematically deconstructed PVT’s assumptions, arguing that its claims about the vagus nerve, heart rate variability, and social engagement lack empirical support. Comparative neuroanatomists such as Nieuwenhuys, Kaas, and Striedter have also pointed out that PVT ignores fundamental principles of vertebrate brain evolution.
Moreover, many researchers in the scientific community do not engage with PVT at all. Established neuroscientists continue to publish research on the autonomic nervous system without referencing PVT, indicating that it remains largely outside the mainstream of science.
5. The Persistence of PVT: Why Does It Thrive?
If PVT faces such strong scientific criticism, why does it continue to thrive? Several factors contribute to its persistence:
Emotional and Intuitive Appeal – The theory provides a simple, intuitive explanation for complex psychological phenomena, making it attractive to practitioners and patients.
Therapeutic Utility – Regardless of its scientific accuracy, many therapists find the PVT helpful framework in practice. It offers a structured way to discuss trauma, stress, and self-regulation, even if its biological underpinnings are questionable.
Commercial and Institutional Support – The widespread commercialization of PVT, from training programs to books and workshops, has created financial incentives for its continued promotion.
Self-Sustaining Community – The interconnected network of authors, trainers, and institutions forms a feedback loop that reinforces PVT’s legitimacy, making it difficult to dislodge.
6. Conclusion: A Theory in Two Worlds
The polyvagal community exists in a dual reality: one in which it is embraced as a groundbreaking framework in therapy, and another in which it is largely dismissed by mainstream neuroscience. PVT’s success is due not to its scientific rigor, but to its effective dissemination through a network of clinicians, educators, and commercial enterprises. This case illustrates how psychological theories gain traction through strategic alliances, compelling narratives, and market forces rather than empirical validation. While PVT may not withstand rigorous scientific scrutiny, its influence in therapeutic and self-help communities shows no signs of waning.