VAGUS NERVE

The control of the human body is achieved through hormones and the nervous system. Along with the sympathetic and enteric nervous systems, the parasympathetic nervous system is one of the three branches of the autonomic nervous system and has a calming function. The vagus nerve is the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system.

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve, extending directly from the brainstem down to the chest cavity and into the abdomen. Due to its long pathway in the human body, it has been referred to as the "wandering nerve." It carries bidirectional information between the brain and the digestive system.

The vagus nerve is responsible for regulating certain reflex movements such as coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting. However, its most important function is transmitting information from internal organs such as the intestines, liver, heart, and lungs to the brain. In other words, it informs the brain about the condition of the internal organs. During food intake, it regulates the digestive system in coordination with hormonal mechanisms, determining how much of the nutrients will be absorbed and stored. By transmitting signals from the intestines to the brain, it influences appetite control, satiety, gastric emptying, and energy balance.

In addition to these functions, the vagus nerve has anti-inflammatory effects, meaning it plays a role in immunity. It is also involved in the activation and regulation of the HPA axis, which is responsible for adaptive responses to stress. This is the main focus of my article.

We have stated that the vagus nerve is the most important component of the parasympathetic nervous system. This means that if the vagus is active, we are calm; if we are calm, the vagus is active. In short, if the vagus functions properly, there is peace.

However, in today's modern life, achieving this activation and tranquility, which is actually quite simple, has become more difficult due to unnecessary busyness. When we breathe properly, stay in the moment without focusing on results, immerse ourselves in nature, gaze at the sky, listen to the sounds of birds and flowing water, or look into our own eyes in the mirror without judgment, the vagus nerve is automatically activated, leading us to a state of peace.

Yet, we experience stress in heavy traffic, our breathing becomes unnatural, and we unconsciously hold our breath. We accumulate blockages in our abdomen. We work in jobs we dislike, tolerate people we don't want to be around, and suppress our words out of fear of losing our jobs, leading to throat blockages. We rush through work just to finish it and go home, focusing only on the result instead of engaging in the process. Out of frustration, we clench our fists, accumulating tension in our arms and wrists. When we look in the mirror, instead of seeing our true selves, we see the conditions imposed on us by societal expectations.

When we fail to conform, we experience panic and depression, leading to blockages in our gut and mind. In such cases, the sympathetic nervous system becomes active, while the poor vagus nerve remains passive. Naturally, our sense of calm disappears. Welcome, depressive mood...

Since modern life causes people to lose their sense of inner peace, scientists have tried to find a solution: "If people cannot stay calm in this chaos, then we will calm them down." Thus, they developed methods to activate the vagus nerve for the treatment of depression.

They used two approaches:

Implantable Vagus Nerve Stimulation (iVNS):In this method, a small pulse generator (which can be likened to a tiny generator) is surgically placed under the skin on the left side of the chest. Electrodes connected to this generator are attached to the left cervical vagus nerve. The generator sends signals to activate the vagus nerve, essentially creating an artificial sense of calm and normalcy.
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS):This method stimulates the vagus nerve without any surgical procedure. The impulse generator is connected to the ear using an ear clip, activating the vagus nerve in a non-invasive way.

A large-scale study conducted in Europe found that VNS had a positive effect on depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression patients, showing a 37% improvement within three months and a 53% improvement within one year.

Similar studies have examined the effects of loving-kindness and compassion meditations, positive social interactions, regular mindfulness practices, yoga, and various breathing techniques with different frequencies, intensities, and breath-holding patterns at the end of inspiration and expiration on stress management and psychological healing. The results showed that these practices increased vagal tone, directly stimulating the vagus nerve, thereby improving, calming, and normalizing individuals.

In summary, we can activate the vagus nerve and restore balance without the need for medical intervention. In addition to being a dentist, I am also a Reiki instructor. Although not as a research study, from my own experience, I can say that Reiki also helps calm individuals and activates the vagus nerve.

I don’t know which method or practice will work best for you, but I suggest committing to one and making it a habit. If you're someone who always says, "I’m too busy, I don’t have time," then remember that simple actions like cold water exposure, laughter, hugging, spending time in nature and with animals, staying present, and loving others can also activate the vagus nerve, helping to calm and heal us.

Isn't healing actually so simple?

Kaynak : Breit et al. (2018). Vagus nerve as a modulator of the brain-gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Front Psychiatry, 9, 44.

Emine NALÇACI MAVİŞ