What is RRP (Rest and Restore Protocol)?
RRP was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges (Founder of SSP) and Anthony Gorry, music and audio innovator and CEO of Polyvagal Music. RRP is a cutting-edge, clinical-grade listening therapy designed to calm the nervous system and restore both mental and physical balance. It cultivates both interoception and self-regulation.
RRP is built on decades of research into the body’s physiological rhythms—heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and gut function—combined with deep expertise in advanced sound technology. RRP is Sonocea® Enhanced.
“Sonocea Enhanced” refers to a technology that uses specifically composed soundscapes to help regulate the nervous system and promote a state of rest and restoration. It is a key component of the Rest & Restore Protocol. The technology leverages endogenous biological rhythms embedded in music to activate the body’s natural healing functions. It is designed to complement other therapeutic treatments for issues like stress, trauma, and sleep disturbances.
Well, that was quite a mouthful, wasn’t it? Let’s break this down a little bit…
Endogenous biological rhythms are internal cycles in an organism (that means inside you) that continue even without external cues. These rhythms are driven by an internal body clock. They regulate physiological and behavioral processes like sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and hormone secretion.
To “leverage endogenous biological rhythms” means, in essence, to take advantage of them. It means to deliberately align your activities and behaviors with your body’s internal, self-regulating cycles, like sleep-wake patterns. For example, you can “leverage your circadian rhythm” by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day to boost sleep quality and function during the day. Now, in this case, the RRP technology is itself “taking advantage” of these endogenous biological rhythms.
Like SSP, RRP is NOT a standalone therapy. The RRP is a powerful therapeutic tool and must be administered and monitored by a qualified, trained therapist or provider. Supervision is key. The protocol is not designed for independent use without professional guidance, as a practitioner needs to monitor progress and manage reactions. RRP is not a cure-all and does not replace existing mental health treatments or therapies for PTSD. Rather, it is an adjunctive tool designed to be integrated with other therapeutic modalities. It complements existing treatment strategies, and adds additional support for individuals working with health care providers. But it must be tailored to the individual client’s specific nervous system.
"Neuroception precedes perception. Story follows state."
- Stephen Porges, Author of Polyvagal Theory and Co-Founder of the Rest & Restore Protocol
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