The vagus nerve is an important part of the parasympathetic nervous system, connecting many organs, such as the brain, heart, liver, and gut. Having a ”low vagal tone” means that the vagus nerve is impaired in its functioning— a well-known cause of stress. This can subsequently lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression, gut problems, and inflammation. Stimulating the vagus nerve can increase vagal tone, and thus have a significant positive effect on the functioning of your body. The Wim Hof Method can help you stimulate your vagus nerve in a natural way. You can start with Wim’s method by signing up for our Fundamentals online video course.

Direct stimulation of the vagus nerve is only possible with the help of an implanted device that emits electric pulses. However, because the vagus nerve is connected to many parts of your body, stimulating certain areas of your body will have an indirect positive influence on vagal tone, as the body reroutes this stimulation back to the vagus nerve. Below we will explain some natural ways for indirectly stimulating the vagus nerve.

Exposure to cold . Exposing your body to acute cold conditions , such as taking a cold shower or splashing cold water on your face, increases stimulation of the vagus nerve. While your body adjusts to the cold, sympathetic activity declines, while parasympathetic activity increases.

Deep breathing. You can indirectly stimulate the vagus nerve by taking deep, deliberate breaths from your belly . Deep breathing activates specific neurons that detect blood pressure. These neurons signal to the vagus nerve that blood pressure is becoming too high, and the vagus nerve in turn responds by lowering your heart rate. There are different types of vagus nerve breathing exercises, so there is bound to be one that works for you.

Meditation . Meditating is another great way to increase parasympathetic activity. It will bring your body in a state of calm, telling your vagus nerve that there is no need for a fight-or-flight response, thereby increasing vagal tone.

Singing. You can also use singing, humming, and gargling to activate your vocal cords and the muscles in the back of your throat, which are connected to the vagus nerve. Incorporating these activities into your daily routine can help increase your vagal tone.

The Wim Hof Method is a powerful method that helps many people from all over the world improve their quality of life. This method was developed by Wim Hof, who is known for his incredible streak of Guinness World Records. Wim discovered that practicing the method has many benefits that will make you feel happier, healthier, and stronger. The Wim Hof Method focuses on breathing exercises, controlled exposure to cold, and training your focus. Many of its aspects are related to an increased vagal tone. Some of the most widely reported benefits of the Wim Hof Method are reduced stress, better sleep, more energy, and even relief from symptoms associated with diseases such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.

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Tineke, The Netherlands

I have severe arthritis in my left hip. By implementing the Wim Hof Method in my daily life, I can deal with this without getting surgery. I love Wim’s purity. His coaching inspires me and gives me energy. I’m almost 66 years old and by practicing the Wim Hof Method I feel much more...

Albert, The Netherlands

For 12 years now I have had rheumatism. Thanks to the Wim Hof Method I have been able to halve the amount of anti-inflammatory drugs. My goal is to completely stop the use of anti-inflammatory drugs after finishing the video course.

Aivar, Estonia

I am 52 years old, and after 10 weeks of the Wim Hof Method I am in the best shape I have ever been. I did 30 push-ups as a test before I started the course, and when I finished I did 100 push-ups for the first time in my life. The Wim Hof Method gives you a good mood, it’s addictive!

Monic, The Netherlands

It’s only been 4 weeks since I started, but the results are remarkable! Thank you from the heart for changing my life, my health, and my understanding about my own power and the influence I have on this. I’m looking forward to a nice cold winter in the Netherlands.

Mino, Germany

Learning Wim’s method is like studying from one of nature’s best students. My life long fear of cold is history. I now fully enjoy cold immersions, but the benefits are not limited to cold. I am now a better person and a happier being. I smile when facing life challenges.

Gregor

After 8 months of daily Hoffing, puffing and cold showers I can claim to be cured of my 5 year burnout. Not having had a single cold or flu, my sore knee is working perfectly again, which was very painful the last 2 years. It is like a miracle, and I’m really grateful that our paths crossed.

Franco, USA

Wim I hope to train with you someday. I love to jump into that cold water and climb that mountain with you. Your method has truly helped me with psoriatic arthritis. I am no longer taking Humira injections for my symptoms. I am controlling it with breathing, cold showers and ice baths.

Matthew, Australia

I would have paid $10,000 for this, but that would not be enough because this has changed my life. I feel like I have taken Valium yet am supercharged. As a clinical psychologist my days can be very stressful. There is a stillness inside me now, and what I am really amazed by is the peace lasts.

Per Kristian, United Kingdom

After 3 weeks of daily practicing my medication (Naproxen) for long-standing sciatica has been cut by 80%, and my arm pain and 'pins and needles' following a neck injury 50 years ago has been halved!

Arthur, USA

I got anxiety 2+ years ago, and have had panic attacks every day since. Medicine helped a little. I came across your videos and started to walk my 2 miles a day in only a t-shirt at 20F degrees. Within 2 weeks my anxiety went away! I found it to be a miracle.

James, USA

I’ve had astonishing results battling addiction with the Wim Hof Method. It has saved my life and is the only thing that worked on getting clean and healthy. I go ahead and get my suffering over with in the cold showers, so I don't have to suffer throughout the day. Pretty good trade to...

Georg, Germany

Cardiac and respiratory arrest began my life. Heart defect and cleft palate pushed diseases. Depression, lack of self-efficacy, and post traumatic stress disorder followed. The Wim Hof Method frees me: I am twenty-nine years old, and I love to live. Thank you!

Grant, Australia

I was born with Spina Bifida, and was told I would end up in a wheelchair. After incorporating the Wim Hof Method into my daily life I have begun to see results in my pain levels and athleticism. I am no longer looking down the barrel of becoming a paraplegic, and I attribute that in part to the...

Raúl, The Netherlands

From the 90s to 2012 I developed hayfever symptoms and had to take daily medications in order to cope. The effect of these medications only lasted for several hours. By using the Wim Hof Method training daily, my body has conquered hayfever symptoms since 2013.

Benjamin

I started the Wim Hof method in October of 2018, and now the holes I had in my brain are gone. My neurosurgeon was so impressed by the scans that he told me I don't have to come back anymore. I take this as proof that this method works to regenerate brain tissue.

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Vagus nerve stimulation

Natural ways of vagus nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation with the Wim Hof Method

Practice the Wim Hof Method

The three pillars

Wim Hof Method References