Just lately, biohackers, medical doctors and wellness advocates alike have been seeking to the vagus nerve as a method of decreasing stress, stopping PTSD, aiding with digestion, immunity and extra. Many imagine it to be a hyperlink to raised well being and wellness.
So what precisely is the vagus nerve and what function do important oils play in aiding it? Learn on to be taught extra.
What Is The Vagus Nerve?
Earlier than we start our deep dive into important oils for the vagus nerve, you might have some questions on what the vagus nerve is. Listed below are some steadily requested questions in regards to the vagus nerve.
WHAT DOES THE VAGUS NERVE DO?
The vagus nerve is the first nerve in the parasympathetic nervous system, which regulates bodily capabilities reminiscent of temper, immunity, digestion and coronary heart price. Additionally it is part of what’s generally known as the “gut-brain axis” which sends indicators to and from the digestive system and the mind.
New remedies that modulate the brain-gut axis, reminiscent of vagus nerve stimulation, are stated to help with irritation reminiscent of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and temper problems. Healthcare practitioners imagine that for these causes and extra, the vagus nerve is a goal for higher well being and wellness.[1]
WHERE IS THE VAGUS NERVE?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve that extends from the brainstem by way of the neck and thorax down by way of the stomach. There are two methods the vagus nerve is accessed for vagus nerve stimulation.
- Surgical implantation of a pulse generator connected on to the vagus nerve
- Non-surgical attachment of a pulse generator to the ears by way of ear clips
How To Stimulate The Vagus Nerve
Like many bodily capabilities, over time, your vagus nerve’s capability and performance can decline. This may result in low vagal tone which causes adverse results reminiscent of hypertension, coronary heart illness, melancholy and anxiousness.
Vagus nerve stimulation is believed to advertise a wholesome vagus nerve and assist regulate the parasympathetic state. This remedy is mostly used to deal with epilepsy and melancholy, however its potential to remedy different problems is expansive.[2]
As beforehand talked about, two frequent and quick methods medical doctors stimulate the vagus nerve is thru surgical implantation of a pulse generator and by attaching ear clips that generate a pulse to the ears.
Nonetheless, there are different methods one can stimulate the vagus nerve at residence and with out particular tools.
What Important Oils Are Good For The Vagus Nerve?
Now that now we have a greater understanding of the vagus nerve, let’s take a look at some pure methods you may encourage higher vagus nerve exercise and which important oils can assist.
EXERCISE
We all know {that a} good train routine can enhance well being in a number of methods, however do you know that it additionally prompts the vagus nerve?
- A analysis examine requested a bunch of males to carry out reasonable biking workout routines. The examine recorded the vagus nerve exercise of the boys earlier than and after the workout routines. Medical doctors concluded that reasonable train stimulates vagus nerve exercise and the autonomic nervous system.[3]
If you happen to’re seeking to stimulate the vagus nerve with train, important oils can assist. Attain for oils like Peppermint and Candy Orange to spice up your exercise. For finest use, add both oil to a Mio Mist diffuser and take it with you to the health club for a revitalizing pick-me-up.
MEDITATION
As many skilled meditators know, meditation has lots to do with breathwork. Training meditation has lots in frequent with respiratory vagal nerve stimulation (rVNS).
- A analysis examine investigated the advantages of a wide range of breathwork strategies, together with these present in meditation. They concluded that many of those strategies work by stimulating the vagus nerve and assist to advertise higher cardiopulmonary well being, anti-inflammation, decrease stress, improved cognitive efficiency and extra.[4]
Important oils that assist to spice up breathwork and meditation embody:
Add 10-15 drops of your chosen important oil to a diffuser as you observe meditation, yoga or breathwork.
ICE BATH
Chilly water immersion therapies have grown in recognition resulting from an abundance of analysis displaying that they can assist to scale back stress, resulting from their impact on the vagus nerve.
- A randomized examine noticed the results of chilly stimulation on the vagus nerves of its contributors. Medical doctors positioned a chilly thermode on the neck, examine and forearms of contributors whereas coronary heart price variability was measured. The examine concluded by suggesting chilly stimulation will increase vagal activation.[5]
Create a vagus nerve bathtub oil by combining the next:
- 1 oz Jojoba
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
- 2 drops Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Add your bathtub oil to a chilly water bathtub and soak for so long as you may stand it, however now not than quarter-hour. Word, the tub could also be slippery when coming into and exiting.
MASSAGE
Maybe our favourite technique to stimulate the vagus nerve is thru reflexology.
- Foot reflexology was carried out on sufferers with coronary artery illness. Varied important indicators had been monitored earlier than and a number of occasions throughout the experiment. Medical doctors noticed the next vagal modulation, decrease blood strain and sympathetic modulation in those who acquired foot reflexology, and concluded that this was a promising remedy to extend vagal modulation.[6]
Important oils that help with therapeutic massage and reflexology embody:
Alternatively, you may create your individual vagus nerve important oil mix by combining the next:
- 5 drops Bergamot oil
- 5 drops Candy Orange oil
- 4 drops Lavender oil
- 4 drops Clary Sage oil
- 1 oz Fractionated Coconut oil
For finest outcomes, we suggest working with a Therapeutic massage Therapist or Reflexologist.
SOURCES:
- Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Mind–Intestine Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Problems. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5859128/
- 5 Methods To Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve. https://well being.clevelandclinic.org/vagus-nerve-stimulation/
- Effectiveness of Average Depth Interval Coaching as an Index of Autonomic Nervous Exercise. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5121464/
- Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Mannequin of Contemplative Exercise. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6189422/
- Results of Chilly Stimulation on Cardiac-Vagal Activation in Wholesome Individuals: Randomized Managed Trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334714/
- Foot reflexology can improve vagal modulation, lower sympathetic modulation, and decrease blood strain in wholesome topics and sufferers with coronary artery illness. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22314629/
