Vagus nerve stimulation is a newly studied methodology to regulate the body’s stress and recovery systems. Access to this treatment approach was limited to specific clinical conditions given the costs and risks associated with an invasive surgery for an implanted device. Now researchers are uncovering a simpler alternative to leverage the homeostatic capabilities of this nerve: non invasively stimulating a small branch of the vagus nerve located in the ear.

This approach, known as auricular VNS (aVNS), is creating buzz in the healthcare community and is being studied for its potential to support cardiovascular fitness, immune balance and recovery after a psychological or physical stress, all without the risks of invasive surgery.

The vagus nerve: The highway connecting the brain and orga

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