VAGUS NERVE 101

If you don't already know about the importance of Vagus Nerve - and the importance of stimulating it - than keep reading for Biohacking Bondi's Vagus Nerve 101...
 
1. What is the Vagus Nerve? The Vagus Nerve (VN) is the longest nerve in your body. It connects your brain to every vital organ (including your gut and heart) and major system in the body (for example, it is the VN that controls digestion, your heart rate and tells your lungs to breathe).
 
2. What does the Vagus Nerve do? The VN is responsible for controlling the parasympathetic nervous system – which basically tells your body to “chill” when a stress response has been activated. When the VN is stimulated it acts to slow down your heart rate and blood pressure, lowers your metabolism, turns off inflammatory responses and stimulates regenerative hormonal responses of safety. In a nutshell, the VN acts to restore calm by telling the body it is safe to receive, rest and digest.
 
3. Why is Vagal Tone important? A person’s Vagal Tone refers to the health or strength of their VN and can be measured indirectly by Heart Rate Variability (HRV). People with a high Vagal Tone may be more likely to recuperate quicker after injury, stress or illness.  Poor Vagal Tone, on the other hand, has been associated with inflammatory conditions, metabolic disorders, gut issues and depression and anxiety. 
 
4. How can you strengthen your Vagal Tone? Electrical Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is the most studied method of improving Vagal Tone and can be done through surgical implantation or by using noninvasive devices to send electrical impulses directly to the VN for stimulation. Alternatively, you may also increase your Vagal Tone by utilising natural VNS methods. Cold exposure, weight training, deep breathing, meditation and activating the vocal cords (through humming or chanting) are a few practices that give you the opportunity to increase your parasympathetic activity.
 
Watch this space: Early studies are showing that noninvasive VNS bioelectronic devices may also be used to slow the adverse affects of ageing. If, like us here at Biohacking Bondi, you’re into the longevity thing - this is very exciting indeed…

Take Care of Yourself.

Biohacking Bondi