A Living Record of the Polyvagal Controversy

Produced by Hearth Science, whose own proposed resolution is listed under Proposed Resolutions. Editorial standards

Last updated November 12, 2026 · v0.1

About

How the record works

Project

A Hearth Science project

The record has two aims. The first is to keep the debate's primary documents in one place, dated and linked to their sources. The second is to produce a map of the disputed claims that both principals accept as accurate, so that the claims which turn on evidence can be tested.

The record is free to read and to cite. It is not behind a paywall and asks for nothing in exchange.

People and stakes

Who produces the record, and what each has at stake

Every person and partner is listed with their stake in the outcome, stated plainly.

Role Name Stake
Producer Natureza Gabriel Kram, Hearth Science Coauthor of Breaking the Stasis in the Polyvagal Controversy, a proposed resolution listed on this record. Founder of Hearth Science, which develops the Autonomics framework and offers training based on it.

Other roles are listed once each person has agreed to be named.

Method

Agree on the questions first

The method is adversarial collaboration. The two principals do not need to agree on the answers. They agree on the list of disputed claims and the wording of each.

Each then states his position in his own words, replies to the other, and states what result would change his view. Each disagreement is classified as one of evidence, definition or interpretation. Claims that turn on evidence become testable claims, with predictions stated in advance.

The six steps →

Editorial standards

Nine rules

  1. 01Sources are linked to their original publishers, never rehosted.
  2. 02Each side selects the materials that represent its position, including its representative interview and its foundational texts.
  3. 03Documents are listed under their own titles. Characterization belongs in the Record, attributed to its author.
  4. 04A principal's stated position changes only with his approval, or with a dated note explaining why.
  5. 05Positions appear in alphabetical order by surname.
  6. 06If a principal declines to take part, the record says so in one factual line, without comment.
  7. 07Corrections are published openly, with dates, in the changelog. There are no silent edits.
  8. 08Sources and the Record carry no Hearth Science promotion.
  9. 09Nothing on the record is exchanged for personal details. Documents download directly.

Changelog

Every change, dated

November 12, 2026 · v0.1 Record opened. Sources, Timeline, Proposed Resolutions, For Clinicians and About published. The Record shows its method only.

Contact

Corrections, sources and proposals

Submit a correction, a missing source or a proposed resolution. Every submission is reviewed, and accepted corrections appear in the changelog.

[[email protected] — confirm address]

Email the record →

Follow the record

An email when the record changes. Optional. Nothing on the record requires it.