Why the Vagus Nerve is Your New Best Friend (And How to Keep It Happy)

You’re sitting in your favourite chair after a long day. As you take a deep breath, stress melts away.

This moment of tranquillity is brought to you in part by the vagus nerve!

Originating in the brainstem, the vagus extends through the neck down to the abdomen, connecting various organs such as the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. This network makes the vagus nerve essential for maintaining the autonomic nervous system and involuntary bodily functions, such as regulating the heart rate.

The vagus nerve also serves as a crucial mediator in the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” system. The vagus nerve helps to facilitate digestion by stimulating the release of digestive enzymes and enhances gut motility, promoting efficient digestion.

With a rise in Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing, many healthcare practitioners are beginning to understand the power of this complex nerve. By regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in mood and emotional well-being.

In addition, by reducing stress and inflammation, the vagus nerve can be pivotal in mitigating headache frequency and intensity.

Understanding and nurturing the vagus nerve can transform your health, bringing calmness, balance, and vitality into your life.

Here are some natural methods that you can use to stimulate and activate the vagus:

• Deep Breathing: Deep, slow breathing exercises can have a calming effect. Here is an example of how to do this guided by Wim Hof (The Ice Man) https://youtu.be/0BNejY1e9ik?si=_sV4zBCVL7b4MztF
• Meditation and Mindfulness: Regular meditation and mindfulness practices can gently coax the vagus nerve into action, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
• Cold Exposure: Brief exposure to cold, such as a cold shower or splash of cold water on the face or ice baths (Cold plunges) can invigorate the vagus nerve and enhance its function.
• Singing and Chanting: The vocal cords are next-door neighbours to the vagus nerve – vibrations from vocal activities such as singing, humming, or chanting can stimulate it.
• Chiropractic care: Misalignments in the spine, especially in the cervical (neck) region, can hinder the vagus nerve’s function and contribute to headaches and other issues.

Chiropractic adjustments correct these misalignments and promote better nerve function.

By ensuring the spine is properly aligned, chiropractic care diminishes interference in the nervous system, allowing the vagus nerve to perform its duties with precision and efficiency.

Regular chiropractic adjustments can lead to a harmonious balance in the autonomic nervous system, enhancing vagal tone and yielding a multitude of benefits, including headache relief.

In essence, the vagus nerve is a linchpin of holistic health, influencing everything from your heartbeat to your digestion to your susceptibility to headaches. Make these natural methods to stimulate this nerve part of your daily health routine!