04/21/2026
The body has different physiological responses that help us to identify what nervous system state we are in:
Freeze: decrease in blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tone, sexual response, immune response, facial expressions, eye contact and increase in pain threshold and insulin production
Fight/Flight: increase in blood pressure, heart rate, adrenaline, pupil size, blood clotting and decrease in parasympathetic activity of digestion, salivation, and immune response.
Ventral Vagal (Grounded): increase in digestion, immune regulation, circulation to skin and extremities, produces oxytocin, defensiveness is decreased and social engagement increases.
Being stuck in Fight/Flight or Freeze/Fawn for long periods of time can be a contributing factor to many chronic health conditions i.e: digestive health disorders (IBS, ulcerative colitis, crohn's disease) and autoimmune disorders due to the impact that the stress responses have on immune regulation and function.