02/26/2026
There’s been a lot of noise lately about polyvagal theory being “debunked.”
That’s not what happened.
Recently, a group of 39 neuroscientists published a critical review examining the anatomical and evolutionary claims within polyvagal theory. Their argument was not that autonomic states don’t exist; but that some of the original hierarchical and phylogenetic claims require more precision.
That’s how science matures.
Models are refined.
Mechanisms are clarified.
Language becomes more accurate.
What hasn’t changed?
Clinically, we still observe:
• sympathetic activation
• collapse and shutdown
• co-regulation
• blended autonomic states
Every day.
But here’s where the conversation needs to deepen even further:
Polyvagal theory was built largely from male-dominant physiological research models. If we’re going to evolve it, we must also adapt it to women’s health: to hormonal cycling, pregnancy, postpartum shifts, perimenopause, autoimmune prevalence, chronic pain patterns.
Female nervous systems are not simply smaller versions of male ones.
Estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, and inflammatory processes meaningfully influence autonomic tone. Trauma physiology interacts with reproductive physiology.
The same applies to q***r and neurodovergent nervous systems.
If we refine the science, we must widen the lens.
In somatic work, polyvagal theory was never meant to be doctrine. It’s a framework for tracking nervous system organization — and frameworks must evolve as our data expands.
Good science evolves.
Responsible clinicians evolve with it.
Nuance is not debunking.
It’s depth.
—
Dalia
📍 Beverly Hills 📍 Fresno 📍 Telehealth. English & עברית
