Seth Porges on the critical importance of relaxed connection

Seth Porges is an American science and technology journalist and television commentator. He’s also the son of Sue Carter PhD, who did groundbreaking research on oxytocin and bonding.

Here Porges delivers an engaging talk on the importance of learning to relax and connect with others. The video skips to 20:15, where the discussion about connection begins.

The first part of the video is also informative. It focuses on the vagal nerve branches – and the “freeze” response one of them produces. This helps explain why rape victims, and others who are traumatised, sometimes freeze instead of fighting. Their nervous systems make the decision for them.