Are Vagus Nerve Exercises Safe?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in your body. It starts in your brainstem and travels down your neck and through your chest to your abdomen. This nerve controls several important functions, including heart rate, digestion, and immune response.
Because of its important role in the body, some researchers believe that stimulating the vagus nerve can help improve certain health conditions. For example, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used to treat epilepsy and depression.
While there is some evidence that vagus nerve exercises are safe and effective, more research is needed. If you’re considering trying vagus nerve exercises, talk to your doctor first to see if they’re right for you.
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in your body. It extends from your brainstem all the way down to your abdomen. This nerve is responsible for many different functions, including:
Controlling your heart rate
Controlling your blood pressure
Stimulating your digestive system
Regulating your breathing
Because of the vagus nerve’s important role in your body, exercises that stimulate this nerve can have a wide range of benefits. These benefits include:
Reducing inflammation
Improving mood and anxiety symptoms
Reducing pain
Improving cognitive function
Despite the many potential benefits of vagus nerve stimulation, there is still some concern about its safety. Studies on animals have shown that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can cause side effects, such as:
Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Syncope (fainting)