In other words, vitamin C increases the ability of the autonomic nervous system, especially the vagus nerve, to respond to pressure variations.
Nutrients that support the vagus nerve include: Choline (to make acetylcholine, our main neurotransmitter) Vitamin B12. Magnesium.
An anti-inflammatory diet that generally supports overall health and wellness is likely supportive for vagus nerve health as well. Ensuring adequate sodium and choline intake and avoiding trans fats are good nutritional rules to support vagus nerve function.
One simplest and most effective way to calm your nervous system is to practice deep breathing. Deep breathing helps activate your vagus nerve, which in turn helps to calm the nervous system.
Activities like exercise, chanting aloud, prayer or meditation, deep diaphragmatic breathing, laughter, and cold-water face splashes help stimulate the vagus nerve and calm your sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system.
There are two main causes of vagus nerve dysfunction: previous infection or inflammation and physical or psychological stress.
Lavender tea
Lavender is known to reboot our nervous system and this soothes the vagus nerve and can activate the natural healing capacity of our body. Lavender tea is also known to relieve feelings of anxiety and depression among adults.
Eat foods rich in tryptophan.
Dietary tryptophan is metabolized in the gut and may help the astrocytes—cells in the brain and spinal cord—control inflammation, which may improve communication from the gut to the brain via the vagal messenger pathway. These foods include spinach, seeds, nuts, bananas, and poultry.
When we are stuck in sympathetic dominance the vagus nerve is stagnant, so, when addressing the vagus nerve rather than calming it, we need to stimulate it to perform its task. To achieve this a blend of Clove and Lime essential oils diluted in a carrier oil have been identified as being highly effective.
Zinc is crucial to Vagus Nerve function, and many people are unknowingly deficient in this mineral. Serotonin activates the Vagus Nerve through several different receptors in the body. Take a probioticOptimising gut health is ideal for maximizing Vagus Nerve Stimulation.
Herbs: Herbs and supplements that support your nervous system will indirectly support and stimulate your vagus nerve. Ashwagandha, mucuna, and magnesium are just a few ways to naturally support your nervous system.
Oddly, your sleeping position can help or hinder your efforts to stimulate your vagus nerve. The best position for stimulating the vagus nerve is to lie on your right side.
The vagal response is a series of unpleasant symptoms that occur when the vagus nerve is stimulated. Often, this response is triggered by certain things like stress, pain, and fear. Symptoms of the vagal response include dizziness, nausea, ringing ears, and sweating.
The vagus nerve is also noted as being the tenth cranial nerve (designated as CN X). The vagus nerve is actually a set of two nerves, a vagus nerve right side of the neck and a vagus nerve left side of the neck.
Bifidobacterium longus
This is found in your gut where it helps in maintaining the normal function. It regulates the vagal tone which is responsible for its action in mental health symptoms.
Damage to the vagus nerve
Scientists have long known that chronic conditions such as alcoholism and diabetes can damage nerves, including the vagus nerve. If the vagus nerve is damaged, nausea, bloating, diarrhea and gastroparesis (in which the stomach empties too slowly) may result.
Probiotics, in particular, Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus can also stimulate the vagus nerve, leading to better gut health. Probiotics help to support a healthy gut microbiota (the collection of good bacteria that reside in our guts) and gut health.
In Chinese medicine, different parts of our body correlate with different specific reflexology or pressure points. The vagus nerve point for your hand is right inside of the pinky, for example. This is great because it's so accessible during the course of your day.
“When we ingest sugar, it stimulates cells in the gut, and these cells release glutamate and activate the vagus nerve,” Bohórquez explains of his prior research. The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that plays a regulatory role in internal organ functions such as digestion.
Stronger coffee activates cholinergic receptors, nerves that the brain chemical acetylcholine activates. It also stimulates nicotinic receptors. Activating these receptors stimulates the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system.