Vagus Nerve

The Vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve connecting the brain to the rest of the body.  It is the connecting point between the nervous system and immune cells in our organs controlling specific functions such as digestion, heart rate, and immune system.  It leads breathing, blood pressure, digestion, immunity, and stress prevention.  When it is working, your gut works better.  The HPA axis runs through the vagus nerve so it can regulate the stress hormones too.  The Vagus nerve contributes to your body’s relaxation highway!

But what about when it is not working?

People who have lived through trauma experience an overactive vagus nerve.  Previous infections, inflammation, and physical and psychological stress can cause it to dysfunction.

Some symptoms that yours may be dysregulated are abdominal pain, bloating, acid reflux, change in heart rate, blood pressure or blood sugar, dizziness, or hoarseness. There are also more serious complications like anxiety, nausea, bowel issues, and ongoing random pain.

So what can we do to support the vagus nerve? 

Find ways to regulate stress.  Everyone is going to have stress for a number of reasons at different times in their life.  It should be something that happens for a short time and then goes away.  It should not consume your life.

• One way to regulate stress is movement.  Movements for vagus nerve stimulation shift your central nervous system from fight or flight to centered and calm.  A way to do that is through Somatic Stress Relief Exercises.  
• Also the nutrient choline is used to produce acetylcholine which is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the body.  Many foods have choline like eggs, meat, liver, chicken, fish, and even sunflower seeds.
• Have you ever checked your tongue position?  Lay your tongue flat on the roof of your mouth. Relax your jaw and shoulders.  This will encourage deep belly breathing through nasal breathing, and will align the head and neck.
• Essential oils like lavender, lime, clove, bergamot, juniper, Roman chamomile, vetiver, melissa, orange, and petigrain are all calming to the body.  Make a roller bottle with equal parts and roll on the mastoid bone behind the ear each day.
• Proboitoics and prebiotics also promote gut health. This indirectly supports the vagus nerve as it sends information from the gut to the brain.

So stop stressing momma! Help that vagus nerve and feel better!