Unlocking the Power of the Vagus Nerve: Your Body’s Secret Superhighway for Healing & Balance

Understanding the vagus nerve

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about the vagus nerve—but like many, I wasn’t entirely sure what it was or why it mattered. So, true to form, I followed my curiosity. With the help of my trusty AI sidekick, I dove into the mystery of this fascinating nerve—and what I discovered was eye-opening.

Not only does the vagus nerve play a vital role in our everyday well-being, but there may also be reasons why its importance hasn’t made its way into the mainstream health conversation... until now.

When we think about the nervous system, most of us picture the brain and spinal cord—but few realize there’s a lesser-known powerhouse quietly managing everything from digestion and immunity to mood and spiritual awareness: the lesser known vagus nerve.

Long overlooked in medical education and public conversation, the vagus nerve is finally stepping into the spotlight. And for good reason—it might just be the key to calming your mind, healing your body, and reconnecting with your inner wisdom.

Let’s take a closer look at this extraordinary nerve, why it matters, and how you can lovingly support it every day.

🧠 What Is the Vagus Nerve & Where Is It?

The vagus nerve, also known as cranial nerve X, is the longest cranial nerve in your body. It begins in the brainstem (medulla oblongata) and travels all the way down through your neck, chest, and abdomen, branching out like a spiritual superhighway to your lungs, heart, throat, stomach, intestines, and beyond.

The word “vagus” comes from the Latin for “wandering”, and that’s exactly what it does—wandering through your entire body, delivering messages between your brain and your organs.

Vagas Nerve Anatomy

💡 What Does It Actually Do?

The vagus nerve is the command center of your parasympathetic nervous system—aka the “rest and digest” response. It slows your heart rate, relaxes your breathing, improves digestion, and soothes your stress response.

It also:

• Regulates mood and emotions via its deep connection with the brain–gut axis

• Controls muscles for speech, swallowing, and vocal tone

• Influences immune response and inflammation

• Carries sensory signals from the ear canal, throat, and gut back to the brain

• Facilitates deep states of healing, meditation, and spiritual awareness

  
  

🩺 Is My Vagus Nerve Healthy?

Your vagal tone is a good indicator of your nervous system's resilience.

What Is Vagal Tone?

Vagal tone refers to the activity and health of the vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in your body. Think of it like a status report from your body’s calm-and-connect system (the parasympathetic nervous system).

Signs of healthy vagus nerve function or high vagal tone:

• Calm, regulated breathing and heart rate

• Strong digestion and regular elimination

• Emotional stability and resilience

• Balanced immune response

  
  

Signs of dysfunction or low vagal tone:

• Anxiety or depression

• Digestive issues like IBS or reflux

• Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting (vasovagal syncope)

• Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness

• Autoimmune flare-ups

  
  

🌬️ How to Stimulate & Support the Vagus Nerve Naturally

Good news: you can strengthen your vagus nerve with simple, daily practices that promote nervous system balance.

🧘‍♀️ Mind-Body Practices:

• Deep breathing (especially long exhales)

• Humming, chanting, singing (think “OM” or your favorite mantra)

• Gargling or splashing cold water on your face

• Meditation and/or yoga (especially restorative poses)

• Laughing and social bonding (yes, laughter is medicine!)

🌀 Lifestyle Support:

• Gentle neck massage (especially around the carotid sheath)

• Fasting and mindful eating to engage digestive feedback loops

• Grounding in nature, barefoot walking, or slow movement

❓Why Don’t We Know More About This Nerve?

Despite its importance, the vagus nerve has only recently become a mainstream topic. Why is this?

1. It’s incredibly complex: It touches nearly every system in the body, perhaps making it difficult to study. Non-invasive methods suffer from small sample studies and potential funding bias.

2. It wasn’t emphasized in Western medical training—until now, it’s often been overshadowed by the sympathetic “fight or flight” response.

3. Whatever the reasons may be - I’m grateful to see that we’re finally learning more about the vital and impactful role the vagus nerve plays in our everyday lives.

   
   

✨ The Vagus Nerve as a Spiritual Connector

For those on a spiritual or healing path, the vagus nerve may feel like more than just biology. It helps us slow down, listen inward, and restore balance to our energetic body. It's where intuition meets physiology.

When you intentionally nurture your vagus nerve, you're not just calming your body—you’re opening a clearer channel between your higher self, your body’s wisdom, and the world around you.

🌿 Final Thoughts

The vagus nerve is an intuitive pathway that connects mind, body, and spirit. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, deepen your intuitive abilities, or heal chronic imbalances, supporting your vagus nerve may be one of the most powerful things you can do for your wellbeing.

✨ Start small. Breathe deeply. Hum a tune. And give your body the space to feel safe.

Thank you for reading!

Sharon :)