Sensory Modulation

What is Sensory Modulation?

Sensory modulation is the ability to modulate or change the way you feel (your mood) through the use of your senses. It can help people feel calmer, more motivated, sleep better and improve engagement in tasks and social situations so they are functioning at their best in what they need to do. By understanding how sensory processing works, we can adapt our experiences which will then change how we feel.

Sensory processing

Our eight senses work closely together, constantly providing information to our brains about our environment and situations that we are in. This feedback tells our body whether the experience is a positive or negative one- which impacts on how we feel. As our mood fluctuates regularly, it is important to be aware and adapt to these changes as needed to feel grounded and able to respond to stress when it arises (emotional regulation).
The eight sensory systems that we engage in this process are:

Touch (Tactile)
Touch receptors in our skin detect various sensations such as light touch, pain, temperature and deep touch and this provides information around comfort and connection as well as telling us if we feel safe. Touch is a powerful sense to utilise for calming and grounding. How does walking barefoot in sand make you feel?

Taste (Gustatory)
Taste receptors on our tongues identify sweet, salty, spicy, bitter and savoury flavours as well as different textures of food. This sensory system also takes into account the different mouth movements associated with eating and drinking eg sucking, sipping and chewing. What feelings arise when you eat a spicy curry?

Sight (Visual)
Our eyes send information around brightness, colour and size/shape of objects to our brain and is one of the most important senses for assessing the environment. What we see can have a great impact on our mood. How does looking at the ocean make you feel?

Sound (Auditory)
Our ears distinguish sounds, rhythm, level of noise and how far noises are from us. These differences can be classified as having a calming or alerting effect on the body. What music do you play to get motivated?

Smell (Olfactory)
Our noses detect different scents from the environment around us. Smells are closely linked with emotions and past memories as they are connected to the limbic system in the brain – therefore having a large impact on how we feel. What feelings arise when you smell freshly baked cookies?

Movement (Vestibular)
Our inner ears provide information to our brains around balance, posture and the speed and direction of body and head movement. This can be subtle or more extreme. Are you someone who enjoys or dislikes going on amusement rides?

Body awareness (Proprioception)
Receptors in our muscles and tendons detect and tell us where our bodies are in space without the use of our vision. They also provide information on resistance changes such as push. Proprioceptive input is known to assist in helping people to feel more grounded. How does it make you feel when you hug someone close to you?

Internal regulation (Interoception)
Our internal organs sense changes and make signals within our bodies to regulate hunger, thirst, internal temperature, breathing, heart rate and bladder/bowel urges. These changes in our bodies are largely impacted by our nervous system and how we feel. Do you notice changes in your breathing or heart rate when you feel stressed?

The truth is that everyone uses sensory modulation techniques every day, whether they are aware of it or not. By tuning in more closely to how you are feeling and exploring a range of tools you can use, you will be more empowered to be able to manage the symptoms that you experience as part of your illness or disability.