The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex of the 12 cranial nerves. It transmits information to or from the brain's surface to tissues and organs elsewhere in the body. It is responsible for regulating internal organ functions, such as digestion, heart rate, and respiratory rate, as well as vasomotor activity and reflex actions, such as coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting.
An abnormal vagal tone with minimal heart rate variability has been associated with conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, and high blood pressure. Conversely, the ideal vagal manner may represent a high variability between heartbeats.
In the early 2000s, researchers started to show that vagus nerve stimulation could help some patients who were severely depressed and had not responded to other treatments. By 2005, the Food and Drug Administration had approved implantable pulse-generating devices that sent electrical signals to the vagus nerve for use in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Similar devices have also been supported for obesity — to help control feelings of hunger and fullness. In addition, internal vagus nerve stimulation to treat inflammation may also have applications for psychiatric disorders such as PTSD. Other conditions improved by stimulating the vagus nerve include epilepsy, diabetes, and inflammatory autoimmune conditions such as Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
Home remedies that improve vagus tome include holding the breath and submerging the face in cold water. The process can trigger the "diving reflex," a response that slows the heartbeat and constricts blood vessels. Some people who have tried it report that it has a calming effect and can even reduce insomnia. Others wrap an ice pack in a cloth and place it on their chest to relieve anxiety.
Image credit: Manu5, via Wikimedia Commons
Read the article: This nerve influences nearly every internal organ. Can it improve our mental state, too?
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