Safe and Sound Protocol
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, PhD. It is a listening program with 5 hours of specially filtered music. Dr. Porges designed the SSP to exercise the middle ear muscle, thereby stimulating the vagus nerve. The SSP is integrated with Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory. Dr. Porges has conducted over 40 years of research on the human auditory system and the autonomic nervous system.
The SSP is not a medical protocol. It is a musical program to help regulate the autonomic nervous system. Think of it as a workout for your middle ear muscles and your vagus nerve, which can lead to greater flexibility within your nervous system.
Completing the Core program of the SSP can lead to an improved sense of calm, better sleep, increased ability to connect socially with others, better listening skills and increased ability to regulate your emotions.
You do not require a clinical diagnosis to benefit from the SSP, though an assessment of your history prior to starting will assist your provider in determining if a group or individual setting is most appropriate for you.