Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Blog post and photography by Peter Hemenway

On a beach in Bali a man offers vagus nerve stimulation to clients

The vagus nerve is one of the cranial nerves that connects the brain to the body. It is also connected to your vocal cords and muscles at the back of the throat.

The nerve acts to center balance the fight-flight response. Stimulation of the vagus nerve can be done in many ways includeing breathing slowly and deeply using an exhalation rhythm that is longer than the inhalation. Also loud singing, foot masage, laughter and cold immersion (cold shower) all stimulatate the vagus nerve.

“While the concept might sound unusual, science has proven your gut and brain actually communicate biochemically. The bidirectional signaling that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system is referred to the gut-brain axis (GBA).

Using the Vagus Nerve, the gut microbiota signals the central nervous system, influencing bodily functions like mood, immune response, digestion and heart rate.4 This “linking” of gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system helps explain why healthy intestinal function is so important. The condition of your GI tract can affect your physical, mental and emotional health.” Mannatech