The Vagus Nerve: Unlocking the Body’s Healing

By Christine Sagan, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Founder Friday

Every Friday, our founder pulls back the curtain and shares something close to her heart—whether it’s a lesson learned, a personal story, or a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our journey. These posts are part inspiration, part reflection, and always written to connect, encourage, and spark conversation. It’s a chance to see some of the “why” behind what we do, straight from the person who started it all.

The vagus nerve is one of the body’s most extraordinary pathways, linking your brain with nearly every organ system. Often called the “rest and digest” nerve, it helps regulate stress, inflammation, digestion, heart rate, and even mood.

Today, the vagus nerve is at the center of breakthrough therapies—from everyday wellness tools to advanced medical devices—changing how we think about health and resilience.

Why the Vagus Nerve Matters

• Stress & Anxiety Relief: Activating the vagus nerve shifts the body out of “fight or flight” and into “rest and repair.”

• Inflammation Control: It plays a key role in calming chronic inflammation, important for autoimmune and chronic conditions.

• Gut-Brain Health: It regulates digestion and supports healthy communication between the gut and the brain.

• Mental Health & Resilience: Strong vagal tone is linked with improved mood, emotional balance, and cognitive clarity.

  
  

Everyday Ways to Support Your Vagus Nerve

You don’t need expensive equipment to begin strengthening vagal tone. Some simple yet powerful options include:

• Humming & Singing: The vibrations created by humming stimulate the vagus nerve through the vocal cords, encouraging calm and connection. Singing, chanting, or even reading out loud can have a similar effect.

• Deep Breathing: Slow, intentional breathing helps activate the vagus nerve and calm the stress response.

• Cold Exposure: A cold shower or splashing cool water on your face can quickly trigger vagal activity.

• Social Connection & Laughter: Positive interactions naturally stimulate vagal pathways.

  
  

Acupuncture and the Vagus Nerve

Acupuncture, long valued in traditional medicine, has been shown in modern research to influence vagal activity. Specific acupuncture points—especially those around the ear (auricular acupuncture) and body points linked with calming—can stimulate vagus nerve pathways.

Patients often report feeling deeply relaxed after acupuncture sessions, and studies confirm benefits such as reduced inflammation, improved digestion, better heart-rate variability, and enhanced mood regulation—all signs of healthy vagus nerve activity.

Cutting-Edge Tools: Truvaga & Beyond

Alongside natural practices, innovative tools now make vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) accessible at home.

• Truvaga: This handheld, non-invasive device delivers gentle electrical impulses through the skin to activate the vagus nerve. Just minutes a day can support stress regulation, sleep quality, mood, and inflammatory balance—like flipping the body’s natural “reset” switch.

• Medical-Grade Devices: FDA-approved implants are already being used in hospitals for conditions like epilepsy and depression.

• Digital Health Tools: Apps and wearables are integrating heart rate variability (HRV) tracking with vagus-focused training.

  
  

The Future of Healing

From humming and acupuncture to devices like Truvaga, vagus nerve support is no longer niche—it’s a growing frontier in both holistic and high-tech medicine. These approaches are producing remarkable results, from easing PTSD and anxiety to improving autoimmune conditions.

Takeaway

Your vagus nerve is a master regulator of body and mind. Supporting it through daily rituals like humming, professional therapies like acupuncture, or advanced tools like Truvaga can help reduce stress, calm inflammation, and unlock the body’s natural healing potential.

Curious if vagus nerve support could help you? Reach out to the Vitae team to explore integrative strategies tailored to your needs. *Truvaga is available to purchase in the clinic.