The Cycle Tool

Laurel Mellin, PhDAssociate Professor of Family and Community Medicine, UCSF

Igor Mitrovic, MDProfessor of Physiology, UCSF

SESSION 6 OBJECTIVES

• Describe the neurophysiology of allostatic circuit reconsolidation through use of the Cycle Tool.

• Use the Cycle Tool Test to evaluate the effectiveness of use of the Cycle Tool.

The Neurophysiology of the Cycle Tool

Igor Mitrovic, MDProfessor of Physiology, UCSF

Experiential LearningThe Cycle Tool

Laurel Mellin, PhDAssociate Professor of Family and Community Medicine, UCSF

The Cycle Tool Test: Point #1BRAIN STATE 4: UNLOCK THE CIRCUIT

Just the Facts (Cognitive Activation):

State the facts. What are you most stressed about. Do not express feelings. 2 or 3 sentences only.

The Cycle Tool Test: Point #2BRAIN STATE 4: UNLOCK THE CIRCUIT

Natural Flow of Feelings (Progressive Emotional Expression):

Express Allostatic Anger (“A+ Anger”) Express anger, in short, choppy sentences, really get angry. I feel angry that . . I can’t stand it that . . I hate it that . . . Up to 20 times.

The Cycle Tool Test: Points #3 - #6BRAIN STATE 3: SWITCH THE CIRCUIT

Stayed on this topic for all feelings expressed (ANGER, SADNESS, FEAR AND GUILT).

All feelings are short and choppy statements (to reflect emotions, not thoughts).

Activated the circuit (got to Brain State 4+) to UNLOCK the circuit.

The SADNESS, FEAR and GUILT statements are followed by 20+ seconds of pause to feel the feeling.

The Cycle Tool Test: Points #7 - #8BRAIN STATE 3: SWITCH THE CIRCUIT

Unreasonable expectation is: • Brief (no more than 8 words)

I do not have power.• Orthogonal ( zero correlation )

I do have power.• Core (no divisors)

No emotionally vivid dependent expectation.

Sustained Brain State 3 for 60 seconds or more (without speaking) to promote subcortical reconsolidation of new circuit.

THE EMOTIONAL MESSAGE:Allostatic “Attachment” Circuits

I do not exist.

I am bad.

I have no

power.

I cannot do

good.

I cannot love.

I am not worthy.

I cannot have

joy.

ALLOSTATIC ATTACHMENT CIRCUITSRelated Circuits

I do not exist.

I am bad.

I have no

power.

• You do not exist. • Only I exist.• Only you exist.

• You are bad.• I must be perfect.• You must be perfect.

• You have no power.• I must be in complete control.• You must be in complete control.

ALLOSTATIC SURVIVAL CIRCUITS: I get my “X” (safety) from “Y”.

Behavioral

Emotional

Relational

• Food• Tobacco• Alcohol• Drugs• Gambling• Spending

• Hostility• Depression• Anxiety• Cigarettes

• Merging

• Tech• Exercise• Sleeping• Hoarding• Sexual

Excesses• Overworking

• Panic• Shame• Numbness• Stress High

• Distancing

The Cycle Tool Test Point #9BRAIN STATE 1: LOCK IN NEW CIRCUIT

Differentiate 4 Circuit from 5 CircuitWould it be rewarding to you to negate the circuit?If not, it is a 5 Circuit.

The Cycle Tool Test Point #10 (4 Circuit) BRAIN STATE 1: LOCK IN NEW CIRCUIT

• Grind In (Repeat opposite): Based on Hebb’s Law, neurons that fire together wire together and get stronger and the opposite ones get weaker. State the opposite to weaken the circuit. (Add the word “not”). • Stage 1. Low emotional expression, slow pace

– decrease stress activation• Stage 2. Moderate emotional expression,

moderate pace – increase endogenous dopamine.

• Stage 3. High emotional expression, moderate page, elevated emotions – increase endogenous dopamine and oxytocin.

The Cycle Tool Test Point #10 (5 Circuit) BRAIN STATE 1: LOCK IN NEW CIRCUIT

Acute Care Applications• Co-regulate with provider to get to Brain State

1, then facilitate awareness and set aside.

EBT Training with Certified EBT Provider• Co-regulation with provider to get to Brain

State 1, then instruct on use 10 Step Survival Circuit Technology.

CYCLE TOOL FOR PREVENTION OF Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS)

• Do a Cycle a Day (“whether you need it or not”).

• Train colleagues to use the Cycle Tool & Connecting Messages

• Train family members to use the Cycle Tool & Connecting Messages.

The Cycle Tool Activities • Use the Cycle Tool Test to score your Cycle to

evaluate your skill in using the tool.

• Check to determine your reconsolidation success based on attaining the 4-3-1 Pattern.

• Experiment with co-regulating with another as you use the Cycle Tool.

• Receive a Connecting Message after the Cycle, noticing the change in Brain State that it evokes.