Your PNS, the Polyvagal Theory & Addiction: How Exercise Activates the Vagus Nerve and Restores Calm During Recovery
As part of our Addiction: Head to Toe series, we take a deep dive into the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the latest research about how this region of the body is affected by substance use disorders (SUD). By unpacking the Polyvagal theory, we demonstrate how exercise is used as a clinical tool to re-balance the PNS […]
How Social Distancing Affects Social Development in Children and Teens
The idea of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging for everyone. For children and teens, this time can be incredibly daunting. As kids grow, they begin to strike out on their own and form social networks. This action is critical for social, physical, and mental health. At-home learning, staggered in-school learning, limited sports […]
How Exercise Targets the Brain and Body in Addiction Recovery: A Head to Toe Look
In this paper, we take a head-to-toe look at what happens to the brain and body during active addiction and review the current care practices used during treatment. We then explore how exercise needs to be implemented as a clinical tool to mitigate the negative health consequences of SUDs, improve the mind-body connection, and allow those who are battling an addiction to become their own agent of change.