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Rob (c137)'s avatar

Great analysis!

It helps a lot to do lymph drainage to help the neck work better.

Also this is my favorite qi gong exercise that opens up the chest and loosens the neck.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=F7YENXCwPIo

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Megan Leigh Abernathy's avatar

That is fascinating! I’m so grateful for your work and the way you’re synthesizing these complex connections. As someone navigating complex PTSD, chronic stress, and the ripple effects on my neck and migraines, this research hits home.

The idea that the carotid bodies—so rich in dopamine—could be a key player in the cycle of chronic stress is such an important insight. The interplay between oxygen regulation, stress responses, and neurotransmitter depletion helps explain why it can feel impossible to break out of certain physiological states. That loop of stress activating the carotid bodies, which then drive further stress responses due to depleted dopamine, makes so much sense in the context of chronic stress disorders.

I also love the connection you’re making with fascia health—another underappreciated factor in chronic tension and nervous system dysregulation. The way the neck acts as a gateway for both mechanical and biochemical feedback loops makes me wonder how targeted interventions (like breathwork, vagus nerve stimulation, or even fascial release) could help break the cycle.

Thank you for diving all in on this! Your research is such a gift.

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