The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve and means “wandering”, in Latin, as it does, down both sides of the body. It balances the nervous system and helps with major functions that keep us alive. The vagus nerve connects and communicates with vital organs in the body that include the brain, heart, lungs, gut, liver, spleen and kidneys. It is responsible for parasympathetic functions such as rest and digest, heart rate, sexual arousal, salvation, and urination. The vagus nerve also controls your muscles for speaking, swallowing and plays a role in satiation. Acetylcholine is a neurotramitter released by the vagus nerve that tells the lungs to breathe, to slow our pulse and tells our body to chill out. Gut feelings are real; the vagus nerve communicates through the brain-gut axis.
Your vagus nerve function is measured, most commonly, by your gag reflex or your heart rate variability. Once the strength is determined it is known as your vagal tone. A low vagal tone is known to cause stress and chronic inflammation throughout your body; which is consider the root cause of disease. There are a few ways to stimulate your vagal tone naturally: splash cold water on your face, breathe deeply, consume probiotics, take cold showers regularly, meditate, get a massage, hum, sing or gargle. A wonderful example of someone who mastered the stimulation of the vagus nerve naturally, is Wim Hof. He designed the Wim Hof Method that uses the three pillars breathing, focus and controlled exposure to cold to improve his and many others, quality of life. You can learn more about him here. There is also a procedure called Vagus Nerve Stimulation that is FDA approved and requires you to surgically have a small device, similar to a pacemaker, implanted into your chest. A magnet is used to stimulate electrical pulses to regulate the vagus nerve daily.
A strong vagal tone is important because it reduces inflammation, strengthens memory, allows you to recover quicker from stress, injury or illness. It can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and fear/anxiety responses. The vagus nerve is an important link between nutrition, psychiatry, neurological and inflammatory disease. There was a recent study that showed positive emotions change the vagal tone for the better. It is very true, the mind and body are one. Stay well.