1. Autonomic Profiles
The Autonomic Profiles or ‘Modes’ are situational attitudes associated with feedback from the peripheral nervous system. They reflect the human body’s physiological state as a reaction to feedback from its environment.
- The Central Nervous System:
The nervous system is composed of two main subsystems: the Central Nervous System (CNS), which is composed of the Brain and spinal cord, and the Peripheral Nervous System, which is composed of all other nerve pathways that run throughout the body.
The CNS integrates sensory data, plans actions, and regulates homeostasis. It houses conscious experiences of sense data, as well as unconscious processes that support it.
- The Peripheral Nervous System
The Somatic Nervous System is a subset of the Peripheral Nervous System which works closely with the CNS. It is responsible for voluntary control of muscles, conscious movement, posture, and reflex arcs. It is involved with intentional direction of the body. We think of it as communicating direct instructions from the Central Nervous System, and sensory data to the CNS.
The Autonomic Nervous System is a different subset of the Peripheral Nervous System, which gathers sensory data and changes the behaviour of muscles and organs, often without even passing through the CNS. It is largely automatic, and outside of conscious awareness. Organs, glands, and smooth muscle can all change their behaviour based on autonomic signals, priming the body to behave in a particular way before the CNS is even consciously aware of what is happening.
- Autonomic Subsystems
The Autonomic Nervous System has three primary subsystems itself, which describe how it reacts to different situations. The activation of these three subsystems are roughly analogous to the Autonomic Modes that are consciously experienced.
Autonomic Modes bear some similarity to prolonged emotional states (moods), but are different from them in some respects:
• Emotions describe a two-factor model of physiological response to a stimulus, ANS modes simply look at physiological states regardless of their stimulus.
• Emotions involve a wider array of nervous system activity.
• The ANS modes measure arousal (activation), while emotions involve valence (attraction/repulsion). Emotions are more meta, such as considering whether the ANS mode is desirable or not, a good feeling or a bad one.
For these reasons, the Autonomic Modes are simpler and easier to qualify than emotions. They are important subsystems, and by focusing on them as separate from emotions we can more easily examine paths to physiological control.
MoBILIZATION (FIGHT-FLIGHT):
Physiology:
SNS driven, ↑ heart rate, pupil dilation
↑ Blood pressure & vasoconstriction in viscera, muscle priming,
↑ Blood flow to skeletal muscles, ↓ Digestive activity, Sweaty palms, Muscle tension
Emotional Analogue:
Anxiety, anger, exhilaration. Shares alertness and energy with excitement, lacks the positive valence and social engagement. Urgency, alertness, focused drive.
Similar to excitement or anger. High arousal, action-oriented readiness without the social warmth of joy.
Internal Sensory Description
Cardiac: Heart pounds in chest, rhythm feels rapid and forceful.
Respiratory: Breaths are quick, shallow, often through the mouth.
Muscular: Tension in shoulders, neck, limbs ready to spring.
Gastrointestinal: “Butterflies” or mild nausea; reduced appetite.
Skin: Warmth or flush in face; sweaty palms or forehead.
Exemplars
Sprint Start: Explosive launch at the gun, limbs coiled then released.
Crisis Call‐Out: Instant surge crossing the street to aid someone in danger.
Competitive Debate: Rapid-fire arguments, voice pitched high with intensity.
Urgent Problem-Solve: Gripping the keyboard as the deadline alarm sounds.
Best Use Cases
Emergency Response: Firefighters, medics mobilizing energy to act.
High-Stakes Presentations: Rallying adrenaline to speak with conviction.
Sales Pitch: Channelling drive into persuasive urgency.
Sprint Tasks: Brief, intense work “sprints” when rapid output is critical.
Worst Performance
Deep Analysis: Over-arousal blinds nuanced, reflective thinking.
Relational Listening: Tense posture and rapid speech shut down empathetic connection.
Long-Term Projects: Continuous mobilization leads to burnout and errors.
Stressful Negotiations: Excessive forcefulness provokes resistance or conflict.
Uses in a Work Situation
Crisis Drills: Simulated emergencies to prime rapid, coordinated response.
Flash Brainstorming: Time-boxed idea sessions where rapid thinking is rewarded.
Deadline Pushes: Late-stage mobilization to meet urgent deliverables.
Pitch Competitions: Energized delivery to capture attention and persuade.
Likely Effect on Others
Arousal Contagion: Colleagues feel perked up—or overwhelmed by the intensity.
Clarity of Purpose: Sharp focus can galvanize team action.
Intimidation Risk: High tension may trigger defensive or avoidant reactions.
Short-Term Gains: Haste boosts immediate output but can erode morale if sustained.
Socialization (Rest-Digest):
Physiology:
Ventral‑vagal PNS↑, ↓ heart rate, ↑ digestion, soft face musculature.
Emotional Analogue:
Calm, contentment, affectionate bonding. Similar to joy but without high arousal. Akin to peaceful well‑being.
Internal Sensory Description
Cardiac: Heartbeat slows to a gentle, even rhythm.
Respiratory: Breaths deepen and lengthen, sigh on exhalation.
Muscular: Face and jaw relax; shoulders drop; limbs feel pleasantly heavy.
Gastrointestinal: A sense of warmth in the abdomen; gentle digestive “ripples.”
Skin: Slight flush or warmth in the cheeks; hands may feel softly tingly.
Exemplars:
Quiet Conversation: Sharing tea with a friend, gentle eye contact, soft tone.
Affectionate Touch: A warm hug or light shoulder massage that evokes safety.
Leisure Reading: Settling into a comfortable chair with a book, uninterrupted.
Slow Meal: Mindful tasting and chewing, savouring flavours without rush.
Use Cases:
Recovery & Recovery Days: Post-stress cooldown, sleep onset rituals.
Bonding Rituals: Intimate partner check-ins, parent-child play.
Creative Rest: Incubation phases in problem-solving when ideas percolate.
Therapeutic Rapport: Establishing trust in counselling or coaching.
Worst Performance:
Crisis Response: Attempting deep calm in the face of real danger impairs rapid action.
High-Demand Deadlines: Over-soothing when mobilization is required leads to missed targets.
Social Over-Intimacy: In contexts valuing formality, excessive warmth can feel intrusive.
Monotony & Lethargy: Prolonged rest-digest can slip into tranquil apathy or stagnation.
Uses in a Work Situation:
Team Check-Ins: Opening meetings with a brief breathing-together or gratitude round to foster psychological safety.
Negotiation Calm: Resetting high-tension talks by acknowledging shared values and softening facial and vocal expression.
Design Thinking: In ideation sprints, scheduling “social breaks” to maintain creative Integration without burnout.
Onboarding Rituals: Paired “buddy” sessions that emphasize listening and small-talk to build rapport.
Likely Effect on Others
Safety Cueing: Lowers observers’ alertness thresholds, inviting trust.
Empathy Activation: Mirror-neuron systems align, increasing prosocial impulse.
Reduced Conflict: Softened expressions and slower speech pace diffuse tension.
Enhanced Learning: Parasympathetic tone promotes openness to new information.
Immobilization (Freeze‑Flop):
Physiology:
Dorsal vagal PNS↑ (originating from the dorsal motor nucleus)
↓ Heart rate, ↓ blood pressure, ↓ body temperature
↓ Muscle tone and movement
↓ GI motility (can also produce nausea or voiding)
Shallow, minimal breathing; often chest-locked
Metabolic suppression; hypoarousal of the cortex
Reduced facial tone, voice flattening, dissociation
Emotional Analogue:
Numbness, helplessness, collapse. Resembles despair, shame, or dissociation—but with a primary physiological driver.
May feel like “shutting down,” “fading,” or “not being here.”
Internal Sensory Description
Cardiac: Pulse weak, distant, slow—feels disconnected or "sunken."
Respiratory: Breathing barely perceptible; chest or diaphragm constricted.
Muscular: Limbs heavy or slack; fine motor control diminished.
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, hollow gut, or urge to defecate as body prepares for collapse.
Skin: Cold extremities, pallor, numbness or lack of sensation.
Exemplars
Predator Freeze: Animal lies motionless, unblinking, heartbeat slowed.
Shock Paralysis: After bad news, body slumps, eyes unfocused, unable to speak.
Depressive Apathy: Lying in bed unable to initiate movement or care.
Fainting Response: Sudden vagal surge causes collapse and loss of posture.
Best Use Cases
Survival Triage: If escape or fight fail, freezing conserves energy and reduces detection.
Pain Dissociation: Psychological numbing in response to overwhelming trauma.
Extreme Cold/Starvation: Metabolic slowdown as survival adaptation.
Sleep Descent: The hypometabolic transition into deep rest states.
Worst Performance
Social Interaction: Flat affect, mutism, or gaze aversion rupture trust and connection.
Problem Solving: Cognitive shutdown disables executive function.
Emergency Response: Inability to act or speak can be life-threatening.
Creative Tasks: Dissociation removes access to imagination and self-expression.
Uses in a Work Situation (Maladaptive):
Burnout Indicator: Sudden withdrawal from collaboration or refusal to engage.
Shutdown Recovery: Can signal time to rest or exit overstimulating environments.
Post-Failure Pause: A forced stillness that sometimes precedes reactivation.
Quiet Quitting Signal: Blunted participation and low-toned replies signal dorsal drift.
Likely Effect on Others
Discomfort: Flat affect and immobility can make others feel uncertain or rejected.
Caretaking Response: Nurturing behaviour from close peers—but also confusion or concern.
Emotional Contagion: Others mirror numbness or go into sympathetic overdrive in reaction.
Silence Misread: Lack of engagement viewed as resistance, disinterest, or hostility.
Agitation
Physiology:
Simultaneous SNS↑ and Dorsal Vagal PNS↑
Fluctuating heart rate: spikes and drops
Erratic blood pressure oscillations
Muscle co contraction and tremors
Irregular breathing: shallow, gasping, or held
Nausea alternating with suppressed motility
Facial tone: tension plus slackness; voice wavering
Emotional Analogue:
Inner turmoil—alternating panic and numbness, anger and collapse. Neither pure fear nor pure freeze, but both at once: a chaotic “meltdown” of overwhelm.
Internal Sensory Description
Cardiac: One moment racing, the next barely perceptible.
Respiratory: Breath may hitch, gasp, or arrest suddenly.
Muscular: Limbs tremble or lock; posture shifts between rigidity and slump.
Gastrointestinal: Waves of nausea interspersed with hollow “void” sensation.
Skin: Hot flashes and cold sweats may alternate; tingling or numb patches.
Exemplars
Panic‑Freeze Cycle: Trapped in a small space, heart pounds yet feet feel glued.
Trauma Flashback: Mind scrambles between fight impulses and dissociative shutdown.
Severe Anxiety Attack: Hands tremble, vision blurs, as the body toggles between surges and collapse.
Emotional Overload: Uncontrollable sob‑scream turning to silent paralysis.
Best Use Cases
Last‑Resort Vigilance: When fight or flight both fail, a scanning freeze may detect subtle cues.
Trauma Containment: Brief autonomic conflict can buffer overwhelming input until help arrives.
Worst Performance
Any Deliberate Action: Both mobilization and shutdown obstruct coherent behavior.
Communication: Speech may fragment between shouting and silence.
Decision‑Making: Cognitive processing stalls under mixed signals.
Therapeutic Engagement: Neither relaxation nor activation techniques fully land.
Uses in a Work Situation
Crisis Recognition: A meltdown flags acute overload—signal to pause all demands.
Emergency Triage: Rapid identification by peers can trigger immediate support or removal.
Likely Effect on Others
Alarm & Helplessness: Observers feel panic or urge to rescue.
Avoidance: Colleagues may back away or disengage to protect themselves.
Disruption: Team dynamics fracture as focus and morale plummet.
Tranquillity:
Physiology:
Ventral Vagal PNS↑ + Dorsal Vagal PNS↑ (non-shutdown)
↓ Heart rate with high beat-to-beat variability
↓ Muscle tone, but not flaccid; gentle slackness
↓ Breathing rate, often with long, smooth exhalations
↑ Digestive activity with no urgency or motility distress
Very low cortisol, increased oxytocin and endogenous opioids
Emotional Analogue:
Sacred peace, bliss, meditative stillness. Feels like affectionate surrender, dreamlike awareness, or post-orgasmic serenity. Similar to awe, reverence, or deep satiation—but without arousal.
Internal Sensory Description
Cardiac: Gentle, slow, spacious heartbeats; subtle but deeply present.
Respiratory: Breathing so slow and soft it feels like floating.
Muscular: Limbs feel weightless or semi-liquid; body may recline or drift.
Gastrointestinal: Subtle abdominal warmth, no tension or void sensation.
Skin: Diffuse warmth across the chest and cheeks; skin tingles faintly, as if misted.
Exemplars
Deep Meditation: Long-held breath awareness after minutes of stillness.
Floating in Water: Supported by temperature-neutral water, eyes closed.
Post-Coital Reverie: A soft, reclining stillness after peak arousal has faded.
Watching Rain at Twilight: Dissolved edges, awareness gently diffused.
Best Use Cases
Healing Integration: Deep rest after intense emotional or physical challenge.
Spiritual Practices: Non-ordinary states of consciousness, lucid reverie.
Grief Containment: Allows feeling without overwhelm—softens jagged sorrow.
Creative Incubation: Allows distant ideas to connect in silence.
Worst Performance
Active Decision-Making: Low energy, lowered urgency impairs real-time judgment.
Team Coordination: Speech and facial tone may be too subdued to cue engagement.
Public Speaking: May seem disengaged or aloof if sustained too long.
Crisis Situations: Lack of sympathetic drive makes rapid action unlikely.
Uses in a Work Situation
Post-Crisis Cooldown: Recalibration after a difficult call or confrontation.
Therapeutic Holding Space: Soft presence in counselling or conflict mediation.
Restorative Spaces: Quiet room, nap pod, or green alcove for sensory reset.
Strategic Visioning: Laying on a couch, eyes closed, letting connections form.
Likely Effect on Others
Downregulation: Your stillness invites others to slow, drop pretence.
Gentle Trust: Encourages vulnerability without judgment.
Mystification: To more mobilized states, you may appear spaced out or unreachable.
Nonthreatening Presence: Excellent for trauma-informed or end-of-life contexts.
Integration:
Physiology:
Sympathetic SNS↑ (moderate) + Ventral Vagal PNS↑ (moderate)
↑ Heart rate variability with a gently elevated mean
Steady, rhythmic breathing—often diaphragmatic
Mild muscle tone—neither locked nor limp
Pupillary pupils moderately dilated for clarity of vision
Mild ↑ in skin conductance without sweat
Balanced cortisol with elevated dopamine and endorphins
Emotional Analogue:
Effortless concentration, “being in the zone.” Similar to excitement but without anxiety; akin to focused joy or creative absorption.
Internal Sensory Description
Cardiac: Steady, slightly elevated pulse felt as a gentle drive rather than pounding.
Respiratory: Smooth inhalation/exhalation cycles at a comfortable pace, often unnoticed.
Muscular: Limbs and core feel responsive and spring-loaded; posture poised but relaxed.
Gastrointestinal: Neutral—no butterflies or nausea; digestion unaffected.
Skin: Subtle warmth on forehead and palms; light tingling in fingertips.
Exemplars
Artistic Creation: Painting or writing where time dilates and ideas Integration unimpeded.
Athletic Performance: A runner’s effortless stride or a dancer’s seamless choreography.
Software Coding: Deep coding sprints where logic and creativity merge fluidly.
Musical Improvisation: Jazz solo where each note arises intuitively.
Best Use Cases
High-Cognitive Tasks: Complex problem-solving, design sprints, strategic planning.
Creative Work: Brainstorming, prototyping, ideation sessions.
Skilled Physical Activity: Sports, martial arts, dance, or craftsmanship.
Integration Workshops: Facilitated sessions to cultivate team cohesion and innovation.
Worst Performance
Monotonous Repetition: Routine data entry or unchallenging tasks can break Integration into boredom.
Overwhelm: Excessive complexity or interruptions shatter concentration and push into Agitation.
Emotional Labor: High-empathy tasks (e.g. conflict resolution) may demand more parasympathetic tone.
Long-Term Endurance: Sustained high-focus without breaks risks burnout and slip into Mobilization or Immobilization.
Uses in a Work Situation
Deep-Work Blocks: Allocating uninterrupted time for high-focus tasks.
Creative Sprints: Design thinking sessions with clear goals and minimal distractions.
Skill Mastery: Practicing technical or artistic skills to build automaticity.
Performance Coaching: Guided exercises to enter and sustain Integration.
Likely Effect on Others
Contagious Focus: Colleagues mirror your engagement and calm energy.
Elevated Standards: Presence raises group performance expectations.
Reduced Social Chatter: Team shifts from small talk to productive silence.
Inspiration: Demonstrates possibility of deep immersion and achievement.
Ecstasy:
Physiology:
SNS↑ + Ventral Vagal PNS↑ + Dorsal Vagal PNS↑
Very high heart rate variability with elevated mean
Rapid, deep breathing interwoven with spontaneous long exhales
Muscle tone alternates between flush tension and soft release
Pupils fully dilated, skin flushed and temperate
Flood of endogenous opioids, oxytocin, and dopamine
Emotional Analogue:
Overwhelming joy, transcendence, spiritual rapture. Feels like awe, unity, or peak mystical experience – beyond ordinary pleasure into boundless expansion.
Internal Sensory Description
Cardiac: Pounding, expansive pulses that feel alive in every vessel.
Respiratory: Deep, open breaths interspersed with sighs of exhilaration.
Muscular: Waves of tingling energy coursing through limbs, alternating with soft opening.
Gastrointestinal: Warm radiance or fluttering delight in the belly.
Skin: Electric flush, gooseflesh, light “vibrations” under the skin.
Exemplars
Peak Performance High: A musician’s transcendent solo reaching a collective high.
Mystical Ritual: Silent meditation culminating in perceived oneness with surroundings.
Euphoric Dance: Collective ecstatic movement at a ceremony or festival.
Transcendent Insight: Sudden visionary clarity during creative breakthrough.
Best Use Cases
Ritual & Ceremony: Sacred practices seeking group cohesion or spiritual elevation.
Peak Creativity: Catalyzing major creative leaps or visionary art.
Deep Bonding: Shared ecstatic states in close-knit teams or communities.
Transformational Healing: Profound shifts in trauma therapy or somatic release.
Worst Performance
Everyday Tasks: Cannot sustain routine attention or fine detail work.
High Risk Environments: Excess energy and dissociation impair safety and judgment.
Negotiation/Conflict: Overwhelming openness may be misinterpreted or exploited.
Long Term Projects: Unsustainable arousal leads to crash into immobilization.
Uses in a Work Situation
Vision Retreats: Facilitating strategic breakthroughs in visionary workshops.
Team Building Retreats: Guided ecstatic movement or expressive art sessions.
Product Launch Events: Channelling collective excitement into brand momentum.
Fundraising Galas: Inspiring communal uplift to energize donors.
Likely Effect on Others
Inspirational Lift: Sparks collective enthusiasm and creativity.
Overwhelm Risk: May dazzle or unnerve those in lower‑arousal states.
Bonding Surge: Deepens group solidarity through shared peak state.
Afterglow Calm: Can lead to a period of restful integration post‑ecstasy.