In Tholáge®, the Access Protocol helps people move directly inside the Window of Tolerance (WoT). It uses a specific eye movement, held in place at a specific angle for a set amount of time, which research shows activates the locus coeruleus (LC). Then the LC, in turn, douses almost the entire brain, and the spinal cord, in norepinephrine (NE).

Research shows NE then activates the basolateral amygdala (BLA), also known as the emotional-memory center. This is a very different effect on the amygdala than the eye movements of EMDR, which have been shown to suppress the BLA, more so than to access emotions and memories. That can be helpful, too, but less so for complex trauma, which can benefit from complete memory consolidation, including the sympathetic activation of the eye movements and somatic exercises of Tholáge®.

Research also shows practitioners should activate this LC/NE system to help address mental disorders. At Tholáge®, we theorize it is helpful because emotion suppression (ES) is transdiagnostic of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, eating and feeding, OCD and many more–and Tholáge® has been shown to help with ES.

Importantly, research also shows this strong LC/NE (sympathetic) activation can be helpful because it allows for memory reconsolidation, which requires both calming (for memory destabilization, or opening the memory) and sympathetic activation (for memory reconsolidation, or closing the memory). Further, the literature says this should be accompanied by adding new, positive emotions and sensations, along with the use of re-narration. Then this should all be repeated.

Beyond that, NE activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), a different part of the cortex than the lateralized eye movements of EMDR activate. The vmPFC is theorized to allow for the creation of emotions, which can be empowering for clients. This is especially true because we are simultaneously activating the sympathetic nervous system in that step, helping clients report feelings of “strength,” “empowerment” and “confidence,” which may be further embraced by brain and body via actions of the vmPFC. Again, this is different than the PFC response to the lateralized eye movements of EMDR.

Together, this all works to reconsolidate that memory and to allow patients to later think of the traumatic memory without the fight-or-flight response. It is also believed to reduce the need for numbing out.

Also, in Tholáge®, there is also a protocol called the Attachment Protocol, which helps people move inside the WoT, indirectly. This protocol is quite novel. The Attachment Protocol has been shown to create a response in the human body demonstrated in the literature to access oxytocin (OXT), dopamine (DA), and endorphins.

Importantly, the most recent literature states that the future of treating trauma is through the use of OXT. Tholáge® helps people access OXT without pills. Research also shows that the “stuckness” of traumatic memory can be unstuck with both OXT and DA. OXT also helps increase neuroplasticity. And endorphins increases feelings of wellbeing and relieve pain and inflammation, even brain inflammation associated with trauma.

Crucially, this protocol is an essential part of the memory reconsolidation process. In Tholáge®, we generate these chemicals in a wholly novel and non-invasive manner.