The Vagus Nerve

Vagus Nerve, Vagus Nerve, Vagus Nerve

Say it with me now 😆🤗

These words have been floating around catching my attention here and there. I have finally looked into it and I’m mind blown, and I’m wishing I’d taken notice earlier! 🤓

So what is the vagus nerve? It is the longest nerve in the body which starts from the brain as a cranial nerve and travels down through the neck, passes through the digestive system, liver, spleen, pancreas, heart and lungs. This nerve is a major part of our parasympathetic system, which is the rest and digest part, (opposite to the sympathetic nervous system- fight and flight).

The most interesting thing I have learnt about the vagus nerve is its role in reading the gut microbiome and responding to moderate inflammation based on whether it detects pathogenic organisms versus non- pathogenic organisms. 🤯 🤔 This therefore explains why the gut microbiome can have an affect on your mood, stress levels and overall inflammation.

High vagal tone is associated with a better mood, less anxiety and more stress resilience. High vagal tone also improves the function of body systems, resulting in better heart function, improved digestion and better blood sugar regulation. Lower vagal tone is there fore associated with cardiovascular conditions and strokes, diabetes, depression, fatigue and inflammatory conditions.

Booooom, so lets increase our vagal tone!!!

How do we do it??

💨 Slow, rhythmic and deep breathing- deep down to diagram (rather than shallow, chest breathing) as this stimulates the vagus nerve.

🎵 Speaking and humming as the vagus nerve is connected to the vocal cords.

☺️ Meditation

🦠 Balancing the gut micro biome with healthy bacteria.

💦 Washing your face with cold water.

I think this explains why meditation and slow breathing practices makes us feel so damn good. Get on board peeps!