What Happens in the Vagus Nerve Never Stays in the Vagus Nerve

If there is one nerve that needs to be on your radar, it’s the vagus nerve. Simply put, it's a nerve that stems from our brain that affects the most bodily functions of all the cranial nerves. It’s most important role is to calm us down (hello, parasympathetic nervous system!) and when it’s compromised, it can cause a whole host of issues.

But how does it show up in our bodies when it needs attention?

Anxiety

The vagus nerve needs to be performing at a higher tone for us to maintain a calm emotional state during stress; the nerve activates our parasympathetic nervous system. When it’s performing at a lower tone, we activate our sympathetic nervous system and feel the “fight or flight” emotional response to stress: increased heart rate, shallow breathing and increased blood pressure. The vagus nerve can help us feel calmer if it’s stimulated properly through chiropractic care, yoga, meditation and a breathing technique of deep, measured breathing and long exhales.

Fertility

If you’re a woman facing fertility challenges, the vagus nerve shouldn’t be ignored. Vagus nerve stimulation can reduce inflammation in our body’s organs, including a woman’s reproductive organs. Because stimulating the nerve also reduces stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure along with reducing inflammation, a woman can possibly achieve pregnancy more easily by having a higher vagus nerve tone.

Stomach Issues

The vagus nerve has a profound impact on the gut, and if understimulated, can appear as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), heartburn and ulcerative colitis. The vagus nerve increases stomach acid digestive secretions, and gut flow. When these bodily functions are low, stimulating the nerve can improve the normal function and intensify muscle tone and movement of the intestines.

The vagus nerve is called the Commander and Chief of all the nerves for a reason! We have only highlighted a few of the functions the nerve plays in our body. Getting regular chiropractic care can keep your nerve healthy and improve your life in many ways, both emotionally and physically. If you’re tired of living on pills and are ready to take a more natural approach, give Golden Family Chiropractic a call. We would love for you to take a seat at our table!