Latest news with #KevinJ.Tracey
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Beware this common medical device scam: ‘There is no way to know'
They've got some nerve! Vagus nerve stimulators are making waves as a potential way to relax, sleep better and improve gut health. But an expert on the vagus nerve warns that noninvasive VNS devices may not deliver as promised. Advertisement 'There is no evidence that using these devices to deliver electricity into the ear or skin of the neck is actually stimulating the vagus nerve,' Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, president and CEO of Northwell Health's Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told The Post. 6 Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, president and CEO of Northwell Health's Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, wrote a new book about the vagus nerve, 'The Great Nerve.' Lee S. Weissman /Northwell Health Tracey — who wrote the new book, 'The Great Nerve,' and is often called the 'founding father' of bioelectronic medicine — cuts through the noise of vagus nerve therapy to distinguish the beneficial from the buzz. What is the vagus nerve? Advertisement The vagus nerve is a complex network of over 200,000 fibers that acts as an information superhighway between the brain and major organs. It's a paired structure — think two thumbs or two kidneys — with one on each side of your brainstem at about the level of your ears, descending through the neck and chest to reach the heart, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. 6 This diagram shows the branches of the vagus nerve in the neck. vonuk – Advertisement It regulates essential bodily functions like heart rate, breathing and digestion. 'The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve and the longest nerve in your body,' Tracey said. 'It is also the only nerve that would cause death if cut on both sides.' How can you stimulate the vagus nerve? Deep breathing, gargling, humming, singing and cold water immersion are commonly suggested ways to stimulate the nerve, but Tracey cautions that 'the scientific understanding and proof for most of these suggestions are lacking.' 'Humming might stimulate a few hundred fibers connected to your voice box, but these aren't the same fibers that go to your heart or regulate inflammation,' he added. Advertisement 6 Humming is a harmless activity that may or may not stimulate your vagus nerve. MARIIA – Tracey does support implantable VNS devices that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for the treatment of epilepsy, depression and stroke rehabilitation. A pulse generator, similar to a pacemaker, is implanted in the chest, and a wire connects it to the vagus nerve in the neck. A doctor programs the equipment to deliver electrical stimulation at set intervals. The noninvasive stimulators, meanwhile, are designed to be placed on the ear or neck to send the impulses. 6 There are two types of vagus nerve stimulators — an implantable device (shown here) and a non-invasive device that the user places on the neck or ear. Pepermpron – Tracey compared these devices to TENS units, which have been used for decades to deliver electricity through the skin to stimulate nerves and relieve pain. He noted that small clinical trials suggest at-home VNS may ease headaches, back pain and anxiety, but there's a lack of large, well-controlled, randomized clinical trials to support these claims. 'There is no way to know whether the TENS unit is stimulating a branch of the vagus nerve or stimulating many other nerves as well,' Tracey said. Advertisement 'Stimulating a small number of fibers in the neck or ear is quite different from stimulating the vagus nerve itself as occurs by implanting an FDA-approved device.' 6 Non-invasive VNS devices are similar to TENS units (pictured here), which have been used for decades to deliver electricity through the skin to stimulate nerves and relieve pain. praisaeng – What conditions does VNS target? 'It is likely that the first conditions to be treated by vagus nerve stimulation will be rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis, but rheumatoid arthritis is likely to be the first indication in the US,' Tracey said. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain. VNS can help by signaling the brain to tamp down inflammation. Advertisement 6 VNS may improve rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain. Khunatorn – VNS is also being explored for longevity. World-famous biohacker Bryan Johnson, 47, said he applies electrical impulses to his ear 'at the first potential signs of sickness,' such as a sudden drop in heart rate variability. Vagus nerve dysfunction can cause heart rate and blood pressure changes, digestive issues like nausea and bloating, fainting episodes, difficulty swallowing and chronic inflammation. 'If increased vagus nerve activity decreases chronic inflammation, it's reasonable to suggest it might improve health span and quality of life as people age,' Tracey mused. 'These ideas are being studied in laboratories and clinical trials worldwide.' Advertisement Before purchasing a VNS device Tracey recommends consulting with a physician before using a TENS unit or similar gadget to make sure you don't have cardiac, neurological or other risks. And buyers should beware. 'Calling a TENS unit a 'vagus nerve stimulator' does not mean the unit is actually stimulating the vagus nerve. It may or may not be,' Tracey said. 'It is not a requirement for marketing such devices that the name of the device has been proved to correspond to what is actually happening.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Northwell Health Opens Center for Bioelectronic Medicine
The Center offers access to bioelectronic medicine clinical trials and, once available, bioelectronic medicine treatment including vagus nerve stimulation NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y., May 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After decades of pioneering bioelectronic medicine research, Northwell Health today announced the opening of its clinical Center for Bioelectronic Medicine. Those interested in participating in bioelectronic medicine clinical trials, including studies evaluating vagus nerve stimulation, can do so through the new Center. As bioelectronic medicine devices are approved for use, they will be offered to patients at the Center. The first Center is located at 350 Community Drive in Manhasset, NY. The facility features a waiting area, patient rooms and a clinical space for research nurses, doctors and clinical trial coordinators to consult with patients and participants. Northwell intends to relocate and expand the Manhasset location within the next few years. Planning is underway for a second center located in Manhattan, NY. "Northwell Health prides itself on offering patients innovative treatment. Bioelectronic medicine has shown benefit to patients in clinical trials, and with the development and expansion of the field, we have an opportunity to offer this cutting-edge treatment to our patients," said Michael J. Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell. "Northwell's Center for Bioelectronic Medicine is a unique destination where doctors, scientists and patients will explore and potentially benefit from today's medical advancements." The scientific foundation of bioelectronic medicine stems from research conducted by Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell's home of medical research, and author of the new book The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes – available today. For nearly four decades, Dr. Tracey and collaborators published their discoveries about a link between the brain, immune system, and inflammation and whether or not their connection could be modulated through technology and electrical signals, like vagus nerve stimulation. Today, bioelectronic medicine clinical trials are conducted at Northwell and around the world. In 2023, Northwell was a site for the SetPoint Medical RESET-RA study, which evaluated a novel treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using neuroimmune modulation, a therapy that uses electrical stimulation to modulate functions of the immune system. Dawn Steiner, one of the RESET-RA trial participants, has firsthand experience with the debilitating effects of RA. For more than a decade, the 58-year-old speech and language pathologist from Massapequa, NY, felt excruciating pain that often left her bedridden. An avid Mets fan and concertgoer, Dawn found herself unable to enjoy the things she loved – or even conduct everyday tasks, like brushing her teeth or tying her shoes – because of her RA flare-ups or her medication's side effects. Over the years, she tried more than eight biological RA medications that often didn't relieve her symptoms and made her feel troubling side effects. After seeing family and friends benefit from enrolling in clinical trials for other conditions, Dawn enrolled in the SetPoint Medical trial and today many of her symptoms are relieved. "A year after receiving this therapy, I feel as good as I did before my RA diagnosis – like a different person. I feel better, and I'm able to just feel healthy and do all the things that make me happy without those awful, awful medications," Steiner said. "To the researchers, thank you! I'm so glad you looked into a different type of technology. From my perspective, this is the future of rheumatoid arthritis treatment." The new Center will aim to connect participants like Dawn to bioelectronic medicine clinical trials. Current bioelectronic medicine trials underway at Northwell include treatments for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, methods to stop excessive bleeding, treatments for post-traumatic stress disorders and brain implant applications to reverse paralysis. "There is optimism that bioelectronic medicine could replace some drugs that have serious side effects and associated costs, and I am interested in continuing research in this field to better understand the language of the nervous system and see if we can use that knowledge to help the body heal itself," said Dr. Tracey, Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. "Clinical trial participants are my heroes – their courage and commitment send ripples of change throughout medicine, bringing us closer to a future where we can treat diseases in safer, more effective, and personalized ways." At the Feinstein Institutes, medical researchers use modern technology to develop novel device-based therapies to treat disease and injury. Engineers, computer scientists, immunologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians develop cutting-edge medicine, including neuroimmune modulation, miniature implants for stimulating and recording the vagus nerve, noninvasive ultrasound neuromodulation to suppress inflammation, and novel brain-computer interfaces to overcome injuries of the nervous system. In the early 2000s, Dr. Tracey and his colleagues discovered that the brain regulates the production of inflammatory proteins, a key aspect of the body's immune response. This brain-body-immune connection was termed the 'inflammatory reflex.' Despite the revelation more than two decades ago, a recent national survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Feinstein Institutes suggests that many Americans are unaware of this connection between the brain and the body. According to the survey, nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) don't believe or don't know that the brain controls inflammation. Uncontrolled inflammation can contribute to diseases like RA, Crohn's disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Tracey's research led to the founding of SetPoint Medical in 2007; where he currently serves as an advisor. Dr. Tracey's book, The Great Nerve, explores the groundbreaking discovery of how stimulating the vagus nerve can treat chronic illnesses and improve overall health, offering both scientific explanations and real-life patient stories. For more information about bioelectronic medicine, click here. If you are interested in learning more about the center and current bioelectronic clinical trials offered at Northwell Health, click here or call 1-227-BIO-INST (246-4678). For download able photos and videos of Dawn, Dr. Tracey, the Center for Bioelectronic Medicine and others, click here. About Northwell HealthNorthwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. Northwell cares for more than three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, western Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Northwell is New York State's largest private employer with over 104,000 employees – including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners and Nuance Health Medical Practices – who are working to change health care for the better. Northwell is making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Northwell is training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. About the Feinstein Institutes:The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is the home of the research institutes of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York State. Encompassing 50+ research labs, 3,000 clinical research studies and 5,000 researchers and staff, the Feinstein Institutes raises the standard of medical innovation through its six institutes of behavioral science, bioelectronic medicine, cancer, health system science, molecular medicine, and translational research. We are the global scientific leader in bioelectronic medicine – an innovative field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. The Feinstein Institutes publishes two open-access, international peer-reviewed journals Molecular Medicine and Bioelectronic Medicine. Through the Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, we offer an accelerated PhD program. For more information about how we produce knowledge to cure disease, visit and follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on Contacts Julianne Mosher Allen516-880-4824/ jmosherallen@ Molly Devaney, MediaSource614-905-8318/ molly@
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Northwell Health Opens Center for Bioelectronic Medicine
NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After decades of pioneering bioelectronic medicine research, Northwell Health today announced the opening of its clinical Center for Bioelectronic Medicine. Those interested in participating in bioelectronic medicine clinical trials, including studies evaluating vagus nerve stimulation, can do so through the new Center. As bioelectronic medicine devices are approved for use, they will be offered to patients at the Center. The first Center is located at 350 Community Drive in Manhasset, NY. The facility features a waiting area, patient rooms and a clinical space for research nurses, doctors and clinical trial coordinators to consult with patients and participants. Northwell intends to relocate and expand the Manhasset location within the next few years. Planning is underway for a second center located in Manhattan, NY. 'Northwell Health prides itself on offering patients innovative treatment. Bioelectronic medicine has shown benefit to patients in clinical trials, and with the development and expansion of the field, we have an opportunity to offer this cutting-edge treatment to our patients,' said Michael J. Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell. 'Northwell's Center for Bioelectronic Medicine is a unique destination where doctors, scientists and patients will explore and potentially benefit from today's medical advancements.' The scientific foundation of bioelectronic medicine stems from research conducted by Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell's home of medical research, and author of the new book The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes – available today. For nearly four decades, Dr. Tracey and collaborators published their discoveries about a link between the brain, immune system, and inflammation and whether or not their connection could be modulated through technology and electrical signals, like vagus nerve stimulation. Today, bioelectronic medicine clinical trials are conducted at Northwell and around the world. In 2023, Northwell was a site for the SetPoint Medical RESET-RA study, which evaluated a novel treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using neuroimmune modulation, a therapy that uses electrical stimulation to modulate functions of the immune system. Dawn Steiner, one of the RESET-RA trial participants, has firsthand experience with the debilitating effects of RA. For more than a decade, the 58-year-old speech and language pathologist from Massapequa, NY, felt excruciating pain that often left her bedridden. An avid Mets fan and concertgoer, Dawn found herself unable to enjoy the things she loved – or even conduct everyday tasks, like brushing her teeth or tying her shoes – because of her RA flare-ups or her medication's side effects. Over the years, she tried more than eight biological RA medications that often didn't relieve her symptoms and made her feel troubling side effects. After seeing family and friends benefit from enrolling in clinical trials for other conditions, Dawn enrolled in the SetPoint Medical trial and today many of her symptoms are relieved. 'A year after receiving this therapy, I feel as good as I did before my RA diagnosis – like a different person. I feel better, and I'm able to just feel healthy and do all the things that make me happy without those awful, awful medications,' Steiner said. 'To the researchers, thank you! I'm so glad you looked into a different type of technology. From my perspective, this is the future of rheumatoid arthritis treatment.' The new Center will aim to connect participants like Dawn to bioelectronic medicine clinical trials. Current bioelectronic medicine trials underway at Northwell include treatments for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, methods to stop excessive bleeding, treatments for post-traumatic stress disorders and brain implant applications to reverse paralysis. 'There is optimism that bioelectronic medicine could replace some drugs that have serious side effects and associated costs, and I am interested in continuing research in this field to better understand the language of the nervous system and see if we can use that knowledge to help the body heal itself,' said Dr. Tracey, Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. 'Clinical trial participants are my heroes – their courage and commitment send ripples of change throughout medicine, bringing us closer to a future where we can treat diseases in safer, more effective, and personalized ways.' At the Feinstein Institutes, medical researchers use modern technology to develop novel device-based therapies to treat disease and injury. Engineers, computer scientists, immunologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians develop cutting-edge medicine, including neuroimmune modulation, miniature implants for stimulating and recording the vagus nerve, noninvasive ultrasound neuromodulation to suppress inflammation, and novel brain-computer interfaces to overcome injuries of the nervous system. In the early 2000s, Dr. Tracey and his colleagues discovered that the brain regulates the production of inflammatory proteins, a key aspect of the body's immune response. This brain-body-immune connection was termed the 'inflammatory reflex.' Despite the revelation more than two decades ago, a recent national survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Feinstein Institutes suggests that many Americans are unaware of this connection between the brain and the body. According to the survey, nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) don't believe or don't know that the brain controls inflammation. Uncontrolled inflammation can contribute to diseases like RA, Crohn's disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Tracey's research led to the founding of SetPoint Medical in 2007; where he currently serves as an advisor. Dr. Tracey's book, The Great Nerve, explores the groundbreaking discovery of how stimulating the vagus nerve can treat chronic illnesses and improve overall health, offering both scientific explanations and real-life patient stories. For more information about bioelectronic medicine, click here. If you are interested in learning more about the center and current bioelectronic clinical trials offered at Northwell Health, click here or call 1-227-BIO-INST (246-4678). For download able photos and videos of Dawn, Dr. Tracey, the Center for Bioelectronic Medicine and others, click here. About Northwell Health Northwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. Northwell cares for more than three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, western Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Northwell is New York State's largest private employer with over 104,000 employees – including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners and Nuance Health Medical Practices – who are working to change health care for the better. Northwell is making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Northwell is training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. About the Feinstein Institutes: The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is the home of the research institutes of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York State. Encompassing 50+ research labs, 3,000 clinical research studies and 5,000 researchers and staff, the Feinstein Institutes raises the standard of medical innovation through its six institutes of behavioral science, bioelectronic medicine, cancer, health system science, molecular medicine, and translational research. We are the global scientific leader in bioelectronic medicine – an innovative field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. The Feinstein Institutes publishes two open-access, international peer-reviewed journals Molecular Medicine and Bioelectronic Medicine. Through the Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, we offer an accelerated PhD program. For more information about how we produce knowledge to cure disease, visit and follow us on LinkedIn.
Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Five ways to exercise the vagus nerve and cure your anxiety
Anxiety-reducing wellness trends – can't live with 'em, can't live without trying 'em. From CBD supplements and meditation to cold plunges and journaling, it seems like the answer to ridding ourselves of those debilitating feelings of dread and fear is just a modern mental health management strategy away. The latest and most promising solution to the problem of anxiety is the vagus nerve: the longest nerve in the human body, AKA the two-way 'electrical information superhighway.' It runs from the base of the brain to the heart, the lungs and the abdominal organs. In other words, the vagus nerve is kind of a big deal. As part of the parasympathetic nervous system, its primary purpose is to control the body's automatic functions such as breathing, digestion and heart rate, but that influence extends to mood and immunity. Why the vagus nerve is having a moment For much of the 20th century, the wandering nerve (named for its Latin translation) has largely been ignored, disregarded and even avoided. Yet today, thanks to advances in research, it's believed that harnessing the power of the vagus nerve has the potential to treat a vast array of conditions. In no particular order, it is claimed that stimulating the nerve can: improve gut health and reduce inflammation, treat depression, help control blood glucose in the liver and the pancreas, boost kidney and bladder function, lower blood pressure, combat long Covid and chronic fatigue, reduce obesity, enhance sleep… and, yes, you've guessed it, calm our anxiety. However, before we all get too carried away, neurosurgeon Dr Kevin J. Tracey, author of The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness its Healing Reflexes and one of the world's pre-eminent authorities in vagus nerve stimulation, suggests a little caution. 'There is a tendency for [a great many] claims about the vagus nerve, but it should be clarified that all of us have many vagus nerves because there are two large bundles of fibres that travel down each side of the neck. These bundles contain a total of 200,000 vagus nerve fibres and each fibre has a specific destination and function. We are beginning to learn about the identity of these fibres and what they do, but we do not have all the information yet. Therefore, when someone tells me they want to stimulate their vagus nerve I say, 'OK, which one?'' Social media is less restrained in its assessment. Open TikTok and you will find a cornucopia of tips and tricks, gizmos and gadgets that wellness influencers claim will have your electrical superhighway running smoothly and efficiently. Clinical research suggests we should ignore most of this pseudo-science, but Dr Tracey believes there is room for optimism. 'There is tremendous potential, rooted in our discoveries about specifically stimulating individual vagus nerve fibres that can turn off inflammation,' he says. Equally optimistic is Dr Dani Gordon, the Medical Director at the holistically focussed London Resilience Clinic and specialises in treating children and adults with neurodivergent, mental health and chronic pain conditions. She suggests stimulating the vagus nerve can contribute to improving mental health (including anxiety) and while it's not a 'cure all... developing a more regulated nervous system would almost certainly be helpful to many people and tapping into techniques that stimulate the vagus nerve can produce beneficial results,' she says. So, if you do want to experiment with reducing feelings of anxiety, here are five ways to exercise the vagus nerve from the comfort of your own home... Breathing It's basic but the key here is to work on your diaphragmatic breathing, or abdominal breathing – a technique that activates the vagal pathways. Sitting or lying comfortably with your shoulders relaxed, place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Then inhale slowly through your nose for four-five seconds, ensuring your abdomen rises (the hand on your belly should move outwards) while your chest stays relatively still. Slowly exhale through pursed lips for 6-7 seconds, gently contracting your abdominal muscles to push out all the air. The hand on your abdomen should fall inward. You want to breathe slowly and clear your mind for at least five minutes. 'The vagus nerve travels through the diaphragm and exercising this muscle helps stimulate the system,' says Dr Gordon. 'Many of us do not exercise this muscle sufficiently, and people who suffer from chronic anxiety are sometimes prone to shallow dysfunctional breathing patterns when they are stressed, worsening how they feel. Also, if you have anxiety and start to use breathwork techniques that incorporate diaphragmatic breathing, this shift can initially worsen anxiety symptoms – this is known as paradoxical anxiety. 'This is because when the nervous system is stuck in sympathetic or 'fight or flight mode' dominance over a prolonged period, it becomes less flexible and any shift, even a beneficial one, can initially trigger a danger response. My advice for anyone is to start with just a minute (or even less) a day and build up slowly. And if you have dysfunctional breathing, it is also helpful to have a session or two with a doctor or physiotherapist who has expertise in this area to ensure you have the correct technique.' Nurosym Clip this wearable neuromodulation device to the outside of your ear and it'll send bioelectric impulses to stimulate the auricular branch of the vagus nerve to help regulate the nervous system. Ask Nurosym and they will tell you their claims are backed by years of significant scientific research and that their technology is at the vanguard of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation and that they have had significant success in treating a variety of conditions, particularly anxiety, chronic fatigue, stress and insomnia. Nurosym is expensive (£599) but a seemingly viable method of VNS and they suggest you will feel the benefits from using it 30-60 minutes a day. 'Nurosym is a device I use frequently in my practice* as part of a holistic mind-body program that might include meditation, medication and alternative medicines where suitable,' says Dr Gordon. 'I find it works best for patients who have anxiety, as well as complex chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, long covid, chronic fatigue spectrum illness and in neurodivergent patients (who very often also suffer with anxiety). Again, some sensitive patients will have an initial 'abreaction' where they may feel good while wearing the device, but have a temporary increase in anxiety or a mood dip a few hours after. These reactions generally go away over time. I have had patients who don't notice much benefit from the Nurosym and it's not a quick fix or cure-all, but in my experience, it can be a useful tool.' From £599. * Dr Gordon has no financial relationship with Nurosym Diet Simply put, the vagus nerve has the power to stabilise heart rate. As the vagus nerve connects the gut to the brain, nutrition has a significant effect on it and its ability to regulate heart rate. When the diet is good and the vagus nerve is functioning well, when your heart rate goes up due to stress, your vagus nerve will slow down the electrical activity in the heart and regulate it. Following a Mediterranean diet high in omega-3 fatty acids is the key to keeping your nervous system – and the vagus nerve – healthy. That's the usual suspects: fatty fish (salmon, mackerel and sardines), plenty of nuts and seeds (walnuts, pistachios and chia seeds), and whole grains that are high in fibre (brown rice and quinoa). 'Diet does play a role in nervous system function and balance,' asserts Dr Gordon, 'including providing the optimal building blocks for neurotransmitters. For those with chronic gut disturbances such as IBS and suffer from general anxiety, symptoms can be improved with a therapeutic diet and gut/microbiome-based approaches. Following a Mediterranean diet high in omega-3s is generally beneficial for most people.' Pulsetto Featured in tech millionaire Bryan Johnson's Netflix documentary Don't Die: The Man Who Wants To Live Forever, this piece of kit is marketed as the vagus nerve stimulator that biohacks your parasympathetic nervous system. The product has been designed to deliver rapid stress relief, improve sleep and promote feelings of calm. Worn around the neck for as little as four minutes (going up to 20), it sends variable electrical impulses to the vagus nerve via an app with bespoke programmes designed with your specific well-being needs in mind. Pulsetto says that 80 per cent of their customers see a substantial improvement in their stress and anxiety levels after three to four weeks. 'Personally, I have very limited clinical experience with this device,' says Dr Gordon. 'A few patients I have treated have tried it before coming to see me, with about half of them finding it relaxing but nothing life- or condition-changing.' £264.99 (plus recommended conductive gel, £61.49). Cold Water Submerging your body in an ice bath will offer a host of benefits, including stimulating the vagus nerve. If you follow the teachings (or preachings) of Wim Hof or any of his cold plunge disciples, you will likely be familiar with the theory behind it. Shocking your body in cold water activates the nerve by sending a message to your brain that you are in distress and releases the hormone norepinephrine from the adrenal gland (as well as adrenalin) that in turn helps you stabilise, relax and feel better. However, rather than going for the full shock and awful cold-water immersion, it has been suggested that you can get a similar result from briefly submerging your face in ice water while holding your breath. So, all the vagal tone benefits, none of the hideous discomfort or cardiovascular stress. 'Just submerging the face may give a temporary change in state for some people, but for those suffering from clinical anxiety it isn't likely to be effective,' says Dr Gordon. 'Generally speaking, cold-water whole-body submersion is considered more effective combined with sauna and/or breathwork. This is part of the Wim Hof Method most people will be familiar with and can be useful in calming down the nervous system.' Finally, before you rush to try these, both Dr Tracey and Dr Gordon have the same general advice. 'Better controlled clinical trials are needed before general recommendations can be made for these interventions, but some of the safer approaches, like breathing exercises and meditation, and eating a balanced diet, have extremely low risk and a potentially significant upside,' says Dr Tracey.
