Vagus Nerve

The Vagus Nerve

We have long known and oft discussed the “brain - gut connection”, and there is recent scientific interest in the importance of the vagus nerve which literally runs from the brain to the gut. Made up of some 200,000 fibers, this important nerve is discussed  by Dr. Kevin Tracey in his latest book THE GREAT NERVE, as potentially playing a crucial role in the treatment and prevention of many serious disease states. Heart disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and many other disorders, can be affected by the vagus nerve.

Think of the Vagus nerve as the information superhighway for the parasympathetic nervous system. As opposed to the sympathetic nervous system, which is mainly responsible for increasing blood pressure, heart rate, immune response, blood sugar and even belly fat in response to stress, the parasympathetic nervous system controls the opposite - slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, quiets the immune response and “calms down” vital organ systems, placing us in a calm , restorative place where healing, rebuilding and rejuvenation can occur. This is augmented by the restorative effect the vagus nerve has the damages caused by the fight or flight state.

Dr. Tracey, a neurosurgeon, devised a computer chip system to augment the actions of the vagus nerve, and has shown some benefit in controlling severe autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis.

But there are other tried and true ways to capitalize on the function of the vagus. Breathing techniques such as meditation and yoga rely on supercharging the Vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system function which contributes to the restoration and relaxation experienced by those practicing these.

When feeling stressed, in pain, anxious or frightened, simply try several abdominal breathing breaths. On inhalation, concentrate on dropping your diaphragm which expands your lungs without using the rib cage. Your abdomen will protrude slightly during inhalationThis engages the vagus nerve which results in immediate improvement of the fight or flight stress response along with its undesirable side effects. Do this once or twice each day, and you will begin to feel better quickly!

In health,

Dr. John Monaco

MONACO Wellness

www.monacowellness.org

(813) 541-6440