Of the 12 pairs of nerves that run through your body, there is one that is of particular interest to doctors.
This is the vagus nerve, the 10th cranial nerve. It is the longest nerve in the body ! It originates in the brain, then goes down the neck, along the esophagus and the rib cage before arriving in the stomach.
There, it divides into multiple ramifications that will innervate all your digestive organs (liver, stomach, intestine, etc.) to ensure their functioning.
So you have understood : all your organs are connected to the vagus nerve. And that's what makes him a vital nerve, and even... "Your body's on-board computer"
And if the vagus nerve is of such interest to the scientific communities, it is because it also has the main role of slowing down the heart rate and calming the mind… two very useful qualities in our societies where everything is going much too fast !
Because the vagus nerve is the regulator of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems : it is simultaneously the brake pedal and the accelerator of your organism, according to the needs of your body.
But by dint of external over-stimulation (anxiogenic television news, social networks, race for technology and performance…), this system is exhausted.
This is the reason why you may be experiencing chronic fatigue, disturbed sleep, reduced appetite, digestion problems (bloating, irregular transit, etc.).
Maintain your body's motor system !
Did you know, for example, that it is the vagus nerve that :
- orders the production of gastric juices to digest the food you eat;
- stimulates the production of bile by the liver to digest fats;
- participates in the elimination of toxins from your body;
- decreases markers of inflammation;
- controls the activity of the pancreas and regulates blood sugar (and therefore, your weight!);
- improves the quality of sleep.
And the interest that we have in the vagus nerve does not date from today ! Even before the 2000s, scientists in the United States sought to stimulate it for therapeutic purposes to treat patients with epilepsy.
The vagus nerve is also highly recognized for its ability to act on depression. In recent years, several studies – including a French study (February 2014) and an American study (August 2018) – have confirmed these promising results.
More recently, in 2020, another study showed that stimulating the vagus nerve had effects similar to anxiolytics !
But then, why could this nerve malfunction ?
Fight the great enemies of the vagus nerve
Stress, annoyances, fears and anxieties, poor management of emotions are the great predators of this vital nerve !
Once settled in your body, they are an open door for a myriad of symptoms, such as :
- chronic inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis;
- digestive problems : irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, etc. ;
- an imbalance of the microbiota (the vagus nerve communicates with the intestinal bacteria responsible for your good digestion ! );
- sleep disturbances;
- early cellular aging, etc.
Fortunately, the vagus also has friends !
And among the best practices to stimulate it, we can mention breathing, good nutrition, physical activity, relaxation, managing emotions...
All these techniques, if you practice them intelligently, will allow you to recover energy !
Your body will be able to use it to improve your digestion, optimize your sleep, reduce your stress levels, regulate your hormones, etc.
In practice : adopt these 5 good gestures on a daily basis
To maintain your vagus nerve, it's simple : favor everything that makes you feel good !
And to help you get started, here are 5 playful axes that can regulate your vagus nerve, and thus calm your mind.
Gargle every morning
This very simple gesture exercises a kind of massage of the vagus nerve (remember that it passes through the throat). Do it 30 seconds morning and evening with lukewarm water.
Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet
Opt for a diet rich in fresh vegetables, as well as good omega-3 fats. Avoid sugar and excess red meat which acidify the body… and cook as much as possible yourself !
Practice heart coherence
Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Inhale for 5 seconds, then exhale for 5 seconds. Repeat this cycle for 5 minutes.
Do relaxation exercises
Lie down and close your eyes. Do a mental “scan” of your body starting with your head. Relax every muscle, working your way down to your feet.
Work on managing your emotions
Every evening, watch the film of your day. Let the positive emotions sink in and the negative emotions flow out. You are the actor of your life : it is you who choose which emotions you want to keep in you or reject !
Finally, know that among alternative medicines, many treatments can accompany you.
These natural methods have proven their effectiveness !
This is the case of acupuncture, qi gong and yoga, reflexology, auriculotherapy, massages, sophrology, meditation or cardiac coherence.
Do not hesitate to approach a practitioner to be accompanied.
Finally, in herbal medicine, plants can also help you regulate your stress, the No. 1 cause of vagus nerve dysregulation, and the symptoms it causes :
- marjoram, valerian and passionflower have anti-stress properties, as does essential oil of lavender (to diffuse in your home);
- in case of digestive problems, drink an herbal tea of fennel, rosemary or mallow, or massage your stomach with 1 or 2 drops of peppermint essential oil diluted in a neutral oil;
- meadowsweet and willow are remarkable painkillers, as is wintergreen essential oil (to be applied locally to the painful area).
So you have understood the importance of activating your vagus nerve to eliminate stress from your body and make peace with your emotions.
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