The central autonomic network is a crucial neurophysiological concept to the foundation of the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.
This article series focuses on the psychological skills and body-based practices which allow for the optimal pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance. The ultimate foundation of the skills, strategies, and tactics lies in the complementary integration of mind-based processes and body-based skills. For this reason, the biological link between neurophysiological processes in the brain, peripheral nervous system, and their integration with the inputs and outputs within the various peripheral physiological systems of the body are critical.
It has been discussed throughout this article series that changes in our physiology can impact our psychology and conversely psychological inputs can result in physiological changes. This understanding is the basis for consideration of the application of our biology and associated biological state changes related to health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance. It has also been discussed throughout the article series that once we have shifted into biological states of protection and defense, it is often the case that psychological skills will be ineffective in shifting back towards anchored and grounded states. In such circumstances, initial implementation of body-based skills is necessary in order to restore sufficient degrees of anchored and grounded states to allow for the cognitive skills to regain their effectiveness. It should be noted that while we may lose access to the effective utilization of psychological skills when we have shifted into protective and defensive states, this does not imply that we have lost these skills, but rather are unable to effectively utilize them in these situations.
While the above understanding is experientially the case, as we can all likely attest, it is also helpful to understand the underlying neurophysiological basis by which this occurs. In part, this has been discussed in past articles through consideration of the salience network. In response to cues of uncertainty, risk, and threat through activation of the sympathetic nervous system, via the amygdala, there is a shift towards a negativity bias within our brain which impacts our salience network. Essentially, this changes the perspective and emphasis of our cognitive skills towards identification, recognition, as well as interpretation of events as being more negative in nature. This can create a self-reinforcing cycle.
While the above neurophysiological process is evident, there are additional details which contribute towards the understanding of the connection between our psychology and our physiology. Specifically this relates to and is provided by the so called central autonomic network.
The central autonomic network consists of several brain-based structures. These structures perform specific functions and ultimately link our psychology, neurophysiology, and peripheral physiology. It is for this reason that this network is important to consider and understand. The structures which comprise the central autonomic network are the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, the amygdala, insula, hypothalamus, and brainstem.
It is useful to briefly consider the various functions of these structures. The prefrontal cortex is essentially the center of executive function within our brain. This relates to cognitive processes and activities, such as planning, decision making, and many others. The anterior cingulate cortex is primarily responsible for emotional regulation as well as conflict detection monitoring. The amygdala is a primary structure for the evaluation and initial response of our emotions in particular those initiated through our sympathetic nervous system. The insula is primarily responsible for interoception, as well as integration of our autonomic responses and emotions. The hypothalamus is the primary regulator of homeostasis and also provides control of autonomic responses. The brainstem performs many important functions, most notably in this context, related to coordination between cardiovascular and respiratory function, as well as control of autonomic processes.
The above description of the structures and, in particular, functions of the central autonomic network make clear the means through which our psychology and physiology are linked. Due to the various functions performed by each of the structures within this network, it can be readily understood how changes within the autonomic nervous system can influence cognitive capacity as well as physiological outputs. These outputs include autonomic processes, such as heart rate and heart rate variability, mixed autonomic and peripheral functions, such as breathing, and pure peripheral outputs such as observable behaviors and actions, posture, muscle tone, and facial expressions. In turn, the peripheral outputs can also impact cognitive processes and autonomic nervous system functions along the same pathways.
The understanding of the central autonomic network provides the underlying neurophysiologic basis for the complementary practices to integrate the psychological skills with the body-based practices. As can be readily understood through consideration of this network, in order to optimally develop nervous system balance and vagus nerve activity it is necessary to combine cognitive skills with somatic practices. If we choose to over emphasize one category over the other, we may be able to obtain a degree of nervous system balance and vagus nerve activity, however, this will be far inferior to the result obtained when we integrate both psychological skills and body-based practices.
The understanding of the central autonomic network further establishes the neurophysiological basis by which our autonomic nervous system changes can directly influence our cognitive capacities and impact the narratives and decision making processes we utilize. In addition, we can further understand the distinction between emotions and feelings, which was discussed in a past article. Emotions relate to our autonomic nervous system responses, while our feelings are established, developed, interpreted, and articulated through prefrontal cortical activity. The central autonomic network provides an important link between emotions and feelings.
It is hoped that the above discussion leads to a deeper understanding of the underlying basis by which both our psychology and our physiology impact our overall biological state. In turn, our biological state significantly influences our ability to pursue health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance. With this understanding in mind, it becomes evident that developing as robust a toolbox of inputs as possible is necessary in order to have the ideal platform for developing nervous system balance. This requires both psychological skills as well as body-based skills, including somatic practices and strategies to optimize cellular and mitochondrial health and function.
The prior article discussed the important link and relationship between nervous system balance and vagus nerve activity. This article emphasizes the foundational nature of the central autonomic network which effectively and functionally links our autonomic responses with our physiological outputs, including both body-based and cognitive based elements. This further emphasizes the importance of the development of mind-based and body-based skills, strategies, and tactics in order to optimally pursue health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance.
To learn more, including about biologically complementary coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.
RECOMMENDED READING
Laborde S, Altini M, Mosely E, Plews D. Heart Rate Variability: Science and Strategies for Peak Performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2027.
Rabin DML. A Simple Guide To Being Alive. San Diego, CA: Merack Publishing; 2026.