Nervous System Intelligence: A Conceptual Framework for State-Based Regulation (Version 1.0)

Abstract
Every living system grows by rhythm—oscillating between inner consolidation and outer expansion. The nervous system follows the same pattern. This paper introduces the Nervous System Intelligence (NSI) framework, a conceptual model for understanding state-based regulation and growth. It integrates three core concepts—the Ladder (five-rung taxonomy of states), the Anchor (baseline attractor), and the Growth Arc (directional pathway of development)—with proposed operationalisations such as the Field Generator and the Physiological Recovery Index (PRI) for applied measurement and translation. NSI situates nervous-system regulation within a broader scientific lineage spanning autonomic science, affective neuroscience, resilience theory, and depth psychology. The framework is presented as a heuristic grammar intended to advance research, education, and applied practice across disciplines.