The Powerful Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve is incredibly important and interacts with a number of vital organs or systems, including the heart, lungs, gut, liver, spleen and kidneys.

1. Parasympathetic Nervous System – This is responsible for bodily functions while we are at rest. Think of things like digestion, metabolic processes, and heart rate. It has also been described as the “feed and breed” or “rest and digest” system for its role in salivation, sexual arousal, digestion and urination.
2. Sensory – This processes sensory information from the heart, lungs, abdomen and throat.
3. Motor – The vagus nerve provides movement to the neck muscles that are responsible for speech and swallowing.
4. Special sensory – It provides taste sensation behind the tongue.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy involves inserting a bioelectric device underneath the skin to stimulate the vagus nerve and improve vagal tone. Vagal tone is an internal biological process that represent the activity of the vagux nerve. 

Increasing your vagal tone activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and having higher vagal tone means that your body can relax faster after stress. 

But you can just improve your vagal tone on your own:

1. Cold Exposure - Researchers have found that exposing yourself to cold on a regular basis can lower your sympathetic “fight or flight” response and increase parasympathetic activity through the vagus nerve.

**Try splashing your face with cold water or spend the last 30 seconds of your shower in cold water

2. Deep and slow breathing

You should breathe in deeply from your diaphragm. When you do this, your stomach should expand outward. Your exhale should be long and slow. This is key to stimulating the vagus nerve and reaching a state of relaxation.

**In for 5, out for 5 a few times, then begin extending the exhale by a beat which will stimulate the vagus nerve

3. Singing, hummin, chanting

The vagus nerve is connected to your vocal cords and the muscles at the back of your throat. Singing, humming, chanting and gargling can activate these muscles and stimulate your vagus nerve

**take a deep breath in, hum as you exhale, all the way out. do that a few times and then sit in stillness with your breath and notice how you feel

4. Probiotics

Having a healthy diversity of bacteria in your gut improves brain function by stimulating the vagus nerve. Many studies have been done that show probiotics affect the GAB receptors in the brain that lead to a decrease of anxiety and depression

5. Meditation

6. Omega 3 fatty acids

7. Exercise

8. Massage - different points on the body stimulate the vagus nerve

9. Socializing and laughing

- positive social interactions and laughter can lower your heart rate variability and improve your mood