The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and increases levels of oxytocin and the calming neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Supporting the vagus nerve and thereby improving parasympathetic tone promotes relaxation, sleep, digestion, and healing.
Activating the parasympathetic nervous system dials down the sympathetic nervous system or fight-or-flight response. In that way, the vagus nerve acts as a built-in “stress-reset button.”
Heart rate variability (HRV)
An easy way to assess parasympathetic tone is to measure heart rate variability (HRV), which is the degree to which the intervals between heartbeats vary from heartbeat to heartbeat. You can measure HRV with a Bluetooth heart rate monitor combined with an app for your smartphone.
Higher heart rate variability (i.e. a less regular heartbeat) is associated with better digestion, reduced inflammation, increased emotional resilience, and a longer lifespan. High HRV means your resting heart rate is lower and your parasympathetic nervous system is responding and adapting to your breath and other stimuli In other words, higher heart rate variability is a sign that your nervous system is in a state of resilience.
Lower heart rate variability (reduced vagal tone), on the other hand, is associated with negative mood and inflammation.
Devices that stimulate the vagus nerve stimulation have been approved as a novel treatment for depression and migraines.
👉 Tip: The cervix is innervated by the vagus nerve, which is why the cervix is involved in achieving orgasm and possibly why some women experience anxiety from an IUD. (The statement about IUDs is only my theory at this stage. I welcome your comments.)
Link with altruism
Because higher vagal tone boosts oxytocin and feelings of altruism, some researchers refer to the vagus nerve as the love nerve or compassion nerve. According to Dr Dacher Keltner, vagus activation is the source of the warm, expansive feeling in our chests when we experience (or even think about) human kindness.
7 ways to stimulate the vagus nerve and improve heart rate variability
You can calm your vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system by sending signals of calm and safety.
- Walking within nature (green exercise) increases parasympathetic tone both immediately following the activity and hours later during sleep.
- Spending time with humans or animals promotes the release of oxytocin, engages the vagus nerve, and improves heart rate variability (HRV).
- Long exhales activate the vagus nerve and calm the fight-or-flight stress response.
- Yoga poses that place the hands above the head stimulate blood pressure sensors in the neck and chest and improve vagal tone. The slow style of traditional hatha yoga improves HRV and relieves depression.
- Healthy gut bacteria release the neurotransmitter GABA that activates the vagus nerve.
- Finishing your shower with a blast of cold water to improve vagal tone.
- Bitter herbs and foods, which aid digestion and stimulate the vagus nerve.
Finally, new research has suggested that oxytocin may be helpful for weight loss and maintaining healthy bones.
