Vagus Nerve Stimulation Exercises: Benefits And How To Do?


Methodology

Like any other race, Americans are among the fore frontiers in experiencing seizures as well. Studies have shown that around 1.2% of US natives are diagnosed with active seizure, which is often described as a sudden involuntary burst of electrical activities in the brain, that causes behavioral changes in some individuals.

Although there have been many epilepsy treatment options available in the country,  Vagus Nerve Stimulation Exercises took the treatment to the next level. After all, it requires nothing, but dedication, and perseverance. 

What Is The Vagus Nerve? 

The Vagus nerve is the largest of all cranial nerves in the human body. There is a pair of 6 cranial nerves in total. They are generally categorized into two, sensory nerves and motor nerves. While the former sends information regarding sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste to the brain, the latter focuses on the functioning of certain glands as well as on the movement of various muscles. 

But there are cranial nerves that carry out the functions of both sensory and motor nerves and the vagus nerve is one among them. Similar to other cranial nerves, they also help link the brain with other major body parts such as the torso, neck, and head. 

The vagus nerve, which is also known as the pneumogastric nerve is inevitable for the smooth functioning of the internal organs, as it helps in regulating heart rate, maintaining cardiovascular activities,  initiating reflex actions such as sneezing, swallowing, coughing, vomiting, and others, and assisting in proper digestion and breathing. This is why many studies have concluded that when the vagus nerve is stimulated, it brings overall wellness to the body. 

Benefits Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Exercises

Vagus nerve-stimulating exercises can bring noticeable effects on a person’s mental health. When you provoke the nerve by doing exercise, the parasympathetic nervous system gets activated, thereby leading your body to relax faster. It often helps to instantly recover from stress as well. 

Vagus nerve-stimulating exercises

According to a study report, the vagus nerve is found to be responsible for sending stress-related signals to the brain from the gut. When these signals reach the brain, they help a person recover from fear or stress faster than usual. Other than these benefits, vagus nerve estimating exercises also help with concerns related to heart health, inflammation, and mood regulation. 

Different Types Of Vagal Maneuvers 

Vagal maneuvers are techniques that are used to stimulate the vagus nerve. There are different types of exercises to stimulate the vagus nerve and they range from simple breathing exercises to complicated processes like cryotherapy. Analyzing the people played by each exercise in bringing the output should be kept in mind before deciding on which one to focus. The followings are the different exercises for vagus nerve stimulation and its benefits: 

  • Breathing Exercises– Slow breathing enables a person to become much more responsive to the uncertain changes caused by fluctuations in blood pressure. This is because slow breathing is proven to stimulate baroreceptors. 
  • Vocal Exercises–  Vocal Exercises like singing, chanting, humming, and gargling are capable of stimulating the vagus nerve as it is located right back of your throat. As a result of this stimulation, the vagal tone and the heart-rate viability are maximized. 
  • Cryotherapy– In a cryotherapy session, your body will be exposed to feel the cold outside. For example, a cold water immersion, or a cold shower. During this process, the stress responses in your brain are turned down, and the production of inflammatory cytokines is reduced. 

Although, these are the commonly practiced vagal maneuvers, vagus-stimulating exercises like meditation, acupuncture, yoga, and massages are also followed by some. 

Conclusion 

Stimulation of the vagus nerve has an array of benefits and it is inevitable for the well-being of your bodily concerns as well as your mental struggles. However, consulting a physician before choosing which exercise to follow is crucial as some of the above-mentioned vagal maneuvers cannot be practiced by individuals who are diagnosed with specific health concerns. 

Dr. Jun Ren is a dedicated and experienced registered dietitian and nutritionist who is committed to helping people achieve their health goals through personalized nutrition plans. With a passion for promoting healthy eating habits and preventing chronic diseases, Dr. Ren has been able to assist numerous clients in improving their overall quality of life.

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