Comments on: 19 Factors That May Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve Naturally

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 02:09:42 +0000

Hi Joe,
Interesting and helpful article. I am a retired medical/psych/health education professional and have had BP problems for years, atrial fibrillation, sleep apnoea etc. all of which have resisted medical treatment and plant-based diet.
I recently began (seriously) medical qigong and my BP has gone down rapidly, and actually I have to watch that it doesn’t go too low! I can see that I may have to give up the meds as it’s too dicey to take them (feel weak and faint). So I am continuing a very interesting experiment and will check in with my cardiologist soon. He’s probably never heard of qigong:)
I discovered that medical qigong activates the Vagus Nerve, which is connected with the autonomic nervous system and many organs and thus promotes a number of benefits in the body. There is research to back this up.
I am very interested in energy psychology and energy medicine, and the Doaist qigong, meridian therapies and Yin Yoga are a great combination for me anyway.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 14:21:34 +0000

I have used a device somewhat like a Tens called Avazzia to stimulate the vagus nerves. I have no way to measure results though.

By: Sea

Sea — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 04:11:43 +0000

This is a downright fabulous gathering of information. A million thank yous. My ears are already tingling.

By: Candy G.

Candy G. — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 01:08:48 +0000

What if the Vagus nerve canal in c10 is closing? Mine is 2 mm closed at last mri 2 years ago.. so it’s compressed and complicated by an Arnold Chianti malformation and reverse curve at c2/3 to c9.
Slapped backwards after a fall and not discovered for a few years, Chiro suspected it and avoided my neck in treatment,,, probably saved my life,
Been 30 years or do, I’ve just kept MOVING.
Intuitively done a lot on this list.. and kept the Anklosing spondulitis minimally progressing. But over covid I think it git a chance to form more calcium deposits.. causing all symptoms to increase or appear in the last 6 months.
I should say I fell again in 2019, over forklift blades and went down hard, sprained both ankles, fractured a thorasic vertebrae, and tore a ligament in my ankle..
Er doc did not take me seriously on the neck triage,, ( same thing when I fell 30 years ago)
I’m just curious about what you think seeing you e been figuring it out all your life too( I have had. ” fibro, Myofascial pain syndrome, chronic fatigue bouts my entire life. Entire life. So I’m not ya average fibro patient! I get up and go, if I can’t do a thing, I sweep my rugs or rake the grass just making designs,, lol or move rocks from one side of my yard to the other..
My problem is getting docs to talk to me as a colleague, not a patient and take me seriously.. they don’t do I go a lot less than I should.
Peace to you always! Candy

By: Rose Anne

Rose Anne — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 12:15:44 +0000

Thank You!

By: Vivian

Vivian — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:51:04 +0000

I am so happy I came across your website.
I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue,
and have had constapation for as long as I can remember
But got even worse after the birth of my son
Which was a c-sec for what it’s worth.
I did a urine test about 10 years ago that showed I was over the chart with nickel
Previous viruses that I had showed up as well.
And I’m so tired of the trail and errors.
Just want something that does something it said it can do.
Anything you can share that would help I would be so grateful for.
Thank you,
Vivian.

By: Keith E Lyons

Keith E Lyons — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 14:42:38 +0000

Yes

By: Keith E Lyons

Keith E Lyons — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 14:41:55 +0000

This is an excellent collaboration of information on the vagus nerve. This is a go to practice when I work with clients. I even have a TENS unit with ear clips I offer to clients to wear during sessions should they choose to. This is an important focus area for my trauma clients too. Thank you, responsibly written!

By: Sylvia

Sylvia — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 23:45:51 +0000

My oldest son has gastroperesis. Was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 9. How can this help?

By: Kristie Aggson

Kristie Aggson — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 07:22:13 +0000

Thank you for this info! I have GERD. I believe it triggers something with my vagus nerve and I’ll wake up in the night with my heart racing. I healed myself with a vegan diet. Not one episode in 3 years. But I’ve recently introduced animal foods back into my diet and the symptoms have all returned. I cannot figure out which foods are doing this to me. My upper endoscopy 3.5 years ago was perfect. Nothing concerning. I’m healthy otherwise. Thin build. Non drinker and non smoker. Very frustrating.

By: Debra

Debra — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 10:47:59 +0000

Joe when I read this bio on you I felt like it was reading about me. Send me Mo’ advice. Thanks Debra
Joe Cohen won the genetic lottery of bad genes. As a kid, he suffered from inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, and other issues that were poorly understood in both conventional and alternative medicine.Frustrated by the lack of good information and tools, Joe decided to embark on a journey of self-experimentation and self-learning to improve his health-

By: Vicky

Vicky — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 02:12:33 +0000

Hey John! I would investigate paradoxical vocal fold movement disorder, it can manifest as chronic cough. I had PVFM for years and no doctor picked up on it until I found a speech therapist who specialized in it.

By: Heather Normandale

Heather Normandale — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 03:32:37 +0000

I disagree with your random comment about how acupuncture could be harmful and might kill you. I do always recommend working with trained healers but such a radon comment makes people fear one of the most healing modalities that exists. I find it exceptionally healing.

By: John Rudisaile

John Rudisaile — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:50:56 +0000

I am looking for a resolution to a chronic cough/difficulty speaking that is ongoing for 10years, occurring throughout the day, and is not related to acid reflux, allergies, or sinus problems as these have been ruled out by numerous tests by different doctors (and I’m not a smoker). One doctor did say this condition could be the result of damage to the Vagus nerve or the esophagus. An ear-nose-throat specialist referred me to an otolaryngologist who treated the Vagus nerve for overstimulation.
Over 18 months the Otolaryngologist prescribed:
Amitriptyline (8 months): It initially worked for several months, giving 75% relief, but then stop working even with increasing dosage.
Gabapentin (10 months 300mg/3 times a day): It again worked to 75% relief until the last 2 months where I have been coughing more and talking causes a cough response.
I would appreciate any information, suggestions, or referrals to help.

By: Fretta Hale

Fretta Hale — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 18:31:27 +0000

You have missed the #1 way to stimulate the vagus nerve. Yawning. Mary Bowen, a world-famous Pilates teacher and Jungian psychotherapist, promotes yawning as a key to good health. She is 90 and works full time. Lifelong Pilates Plus Psyche with Mary Bowen. I taught her how to tickle the back of your throat with the tip of your tongue to induce a yawn. Now I yawn spontaneously when I exercise in bed in the mornings.
Best of luck.

By: Dr Donna Ash

Dr Donna Ash — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 16:39:14 +0000

What about vocal vibrations ? Do they activate the vagal nerve?

By: Liz lowe

Liz lowe — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 06:02:14 +0000

Your # 20 sun debate
The sun in the eye, definitely calms vagal nerve, via pineal gland probably.
My dysautonomia w/ baro flex, caused by Lyme meningitis, twice, is hugely helped by sun in eyes. Late summer winter vagal is nuts, heart rate, arterial spasms, central apnea, narcolepsy, galore. Spring to early July, almost none.
Winter, my channel blockers and beta blockers and potassium, can barely contain scary issues daily.abx for Lyme help but can’t keep at bay. work fast in summer, if needed then.
I could alternate south and North Pole homes, that would work.

By: Ed Swartz

Ed Swartz — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 15:43:19 +0000

If I have, say 10-20 minutes per day, to practice only one of the methods to stimulate the vagus nerve what would be the most effective one?

By: Ravi Sadana

Ravi Sadana — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 06:37:15 +0000

Outside of reading actual research papers, this is a fairly exhaustive treatment of the vagus nerve and its functions as it wanders all over the body.

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 07:27:50 +0000

This article is more about stimulation of the vagal nerve. But what if you have an overstimulated vagal nerve? Since I live in a cold country I notice I’m less calm, I feel the cold tenses me. I never have problem with fatigue with hot weather when I lived in my country (Spain) actually hot weather helps me to be just fine, to rest and be calm. I wonder then what can we do as people who are more on the overstimulated side of the spectrum?

By: GRACE COURTRIGHT

GRACE COURTRIGHT — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 18:25:31 +0000

This is the most informative article on the vagus nerve. I have found things about health I did not know.

By: Becky L.

Becky L. — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 17:49:58 +0000

So now I’m wondering why ginger seems to help my migraines? (if ginger is supposed to suppress vagal activity)

By: Faiyaz

Faiyaz — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 01:34:23 +0000

Your point about the connection between prayer & increased vagal tone is particularly insightful, and not mentioned prominently enough. The optimal breathing cycle being implicitly coded into rosary recitation is yet another example of how a multitude of healthy, scientifically-sound behaviors are encoded in many religious traditions. Prayer also promotes the release of oxytocin & other endorphins, which help regulate healthy vagal tone & HPA axis function.

BTW I am a staunch atheist, so assertions about my bias would be unfounded. I simply realize the esoteric functions encoded within certain religions, and strip out their symbolism, tenets & rites/rituals in favor of just implementing that which is scientifically sound & healthy.

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 08:58:42 +0000

Thank you so much for this post! I am always looking for an article with all of the information about vagus nerve dysfunction in one place and this is awesome!