"The Wanderer"

There is a nerve in your body that connects your brain with your gut and organs.

It is the longest cranial nerve and it works as an extensive distributor through the body.

It is called the Vagus nerve.

Vagus is Latin for "wandering". This nerve "wanders" from the brain through the body. It starts at the base of the cranium, in the lowest part of the brain, it influences our eyes (the ocular motor nerve and facial muscles), passes through the neck and thorax to the abdomen. It is involved in physical functions of the brain, ears, the throat, tongue, neck, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys, pankreas, stomach, gut, liver, the reproductive organs, gallbladder, anus and more. By vagal activation we can activate our healing.

The Vagus nerve contains motor and sensory fibers. A motor fiber stimulation causes muscular contraction. A motor nerve carries information from the CNS to the PNS. A sensory fiber carries impulses toward the CNS.

CNS = Central nervous system

PNS = Peripheral nervous system

The Vagus nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Functions of the Vagus nerve:

- It controls the heart rate and breathing; it controls the heart rate via electrical impulses to specialized muscle tissue in the right atrium

- it serves as a connector between our gut brain ( our "second brain") and head brain via electric impulses; it relays information from the digestive system to the brain. The Vagus nerve prompts the cells in the stomach to release histamine, which helps the body to release the stomach acid to break down the food - important to know for people with low stomach acid which can cause heartburn or reflux.

- it is involved in regulation of internal organ functions such as digestion, heart rate, respiratory rate, and activities such as coughing, sneezing,swallowing or vomiting.

- in the neck, the Vagus nerve provides required innervation to most of the muscles of the pharynx and larynx, which are responsible for swallowing and vocalization. The nerve is connected to the vocal cords and the back of your throat. Singing, humming, chanting can activate these muscles and stimulate your Vagus nerve.

Stimulation of the Vagus nerve:

By stimulating the Vagus nerve you can send a message to the body to improve your health and wellbeing. When you get this nerve working properly, your organs, digestion, reproduction and hormone system can be improved. You feel more relaxed and your stress levels decrease.

The scientists now pay more attention to study and research more about this amazing "body wanderer". They use implants that deliver electric impulses to various body parts. For example the scientist founded out that electric stimulation of the Vagus nerve reduces inflammation; they can treat psychiatric and gastrointestinal disorders, using this method as well. Bioelectronic medicine may be the future of medicine treating illness with fewer medications and fewer side effects.

I bet that in the future we will hear more of the bioelectronics and the Vagus nerve.

More research needs to be done.

Activation of the Vagus nerve:

• Singing , humming, chanting can activate this nerve, it also facilitates feeling of wellbeing and calmness. Practising the sound of OM at home or during your yoga class has lot of benefits. It reduces stress and anxiety. The more you increase your vagal tone, the more your physical and mental health will improve.

• slow deep breathing , Pranayama exercices, reduces stress and anxiety

• meditation with practising OM mantra sound again increases the vagal tone and activates the nerve; practice of kryas, bandhas and mudras

• exercise, yoga (different asanas stimulate particular branches of the Vagus nerve), tai chi, taking long walks in nature are great for your brain health and your well-being

• eye exercises - moving eyes in different directions, rapid eye movement from side to side ....

• cold exposure; splashing your face with cold water every morning, cold showers (finishing your shower regularly with cold water for a few seconds); exposing yourself to cold on a regular basic lowers your "fight or flight" response and increase parasympathetic activity through the Vagus nerve- it takes practise!!!

• Food that the Vagus nerve likes: Probiotics (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha...). Gut bacteria improves brain function by affecting the Vagus nerve

Omega 3 fatty acids (cold water fish like salmon, nuts, seeds such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts) . Omega 3 fatty acids are important for the normal electrical functioning of the brain and your nervous system.

Vitamin B12

• Gargle or use tongue cleaner. It is important to gargle water without chlorine toxic chemicals (check my other blog "Cold hands & feet " where we talk about dangers of chlorine while taking a long hot shower).

• Massage

Benefits of body massage are numerous. Massage can stimulate the Vagus nerve, increase vagal tone, helps you to relax, lower your stress, depression and anxiety.

Foot massage during reflexology treatment is very beneficial for the Vagus nerve.

There is a carotid sinus massage on the sides of the throat that activates the Vagus nerve but this massage should be used only as a medical procedure by professionals!

The last thing you can do to activate your Vagus nerve is to laugh. Smiling activates face muscles, activates the Vagus nerve and sends signals to our brain that we are happy!

Laughter reduces blood pressure, releases endorphins, reduces stress and anxiety, makes you feel good. So keep laughing, enjoy life and love yourself!!