Vagus nerve stimulation

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.