The Current and Future Role of Heart Rate Variability for Assessing and Training Compassion

• Published in: Frontiers in public health Vol. 5; p. 40
• Main Authors: Kirby, James N, Doty, James R, Petrocchi, Nicola, Gilbert, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 08.03.2017
• Subjects: Public Health; vagal break; compassion interventions; compassion; evolution; compassion-focused therapy; heart rate variability

The evolution of mammalian caregiving involving hormones, such as oxytocin, vasopressin, and the myelinated vagal nerve as part of the ventral parasympathetic system, enables humans to connect, co-regulate each other's emotions and create prosociality. Compassion-based interventions draw upon a...