There has been a lot of talk about the vagus nerve online, from how it can help us relax and de-stress to the ability of this cranial nerve to ease inflammation in the body.

Often referred to as the neurological “superhighway”, the vagus nerve connects the brain to the rest of the body, and has a key role to play in everything from our moods to fertility. 

In this blog, I’m going to go beyond the buzzwords. I’ll explain what the vagus nerve is, what it affects, and what it feels like when things aren’t working as they should.

I’ll also explain how hypnotherapy can support vagus nerve healing, help keep the vital communication pathway between the brain and the body in the best condition. 

What is the vagus nerve? 

The vagus nerve – also known as ‘the wandering nerve’ is the longest cranial nerve in the human body. 

It starts at our brain stem and splits into two main branches – the left vagus nerve and the right – that connect to all our vital organs, including our heart, lungs, as well as our digestive system and facial nerves, carrying signals to and from the brain. 

That widespread connection means the right vagus nerve and the left have several important roles to play in how our bodies function. 

Supports your parasympathetic nervous system 

The vagus nerve controls the body’s response to stress by influencing the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps keep us in a calm state. 

Supports the autonomic nervous system

The vagus nerve helps regulate our heart rate when breathing, and has an important role in our digestive processes, sending signals from the brain to the kidneys and large intestine. 

Supports the inflammatory reflex 

The vagus nerve plays a key role in what is known as the neuroimmune feedback loop. It detects inflammation and signals the brain to limit the release of chemicals that will aggravate the inflammation, helping to prevent excessive or chronic responses.

Supports the enteric nervous system

The vagus nerve has an important role to play in the function of our gut, including making sure we absorb nutrients and eliminate waste effectively. It also provides a crucial link between our brain and gut health.

Supports speech and facial expressions

The vagus nerve connects to the facial nerve to modulate our throat muscles and vocal cords, coordinating them with our breathing. 

The vagus nerve and fertility 

The vagus nerve impacts both men’s and women’s reproductive organs, affecting everything from sexual function to the quality of eggs. People with disorders including endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome often have a vagus nerve that is not functioning at its best. 

What happens when the vagus nerve isn’t working well 

When both the left vagus nerve and the right are both functioning correctly, we feel calm, healthy and in control.

Stress, anxiety and trauma can all prevent the vagus nerve from doing its job properly, and that can affect our bodies in many different ways. 

Mental health 

The crucial connection between our gut and brain provided by the vagus nerve can be negatively impacted by low mood and depression. The inflammation caused by prolonged stress or anxiety can also hinder our immune system if the vagus nerve isn’t working properly. 

Heart health 

Stress can take a major toll on our heart rate and blood pressure, and regulating our breathing while dealing with anxiety can be difficult. A vagus nerve that is functioning poorly can make it harder to ease these issues. 

Digestive health 

When the vagus nerve is disrupted, it can impact our digestive tract in many ways, from an over-active gag reflex and bladder control to developing irritable bowel syndrome, due to a weakened immune response. 

Boosting your vagal tone

The great news is all of these conditions can be eased or even eliminated by improving your vagal tone. The higher the vagal tone, the lower your resting heart rate and blood pressure. 

There are several ways you can do this, including: 

• deep breathing
• humming or singing
• cold water immersion 
• yoga
• Meditation

There’s also another way you can help your vagus nerve get into optimal shape. 

How hypnotherapy can help improve your vagal tone 

Hypnotherapy is a tried-and-tested and non-invasive method of reducing the anxiety and stress that can prevent your vagal nerve from functioning correctly. 

It can help dial down the body’s flight-or-fight mechanism that can keep people on edge and tense when they don’t need to be. 

Hypnotherapy is also extremely good at alleviating the gag response in clients with a fear of vomiting, and helps those with an overactive bladder take back control. 

It has also been proven to help couples who are experiencing fertility issues. 

For clients who are in high alert, or have experienced trauma, I have developed bespoke vagus nerve healing sessions. 

What to expect from my vagus nerve healing sessions 

I use deep breathing and body relaxation techniques, together with positive visualisation of the vagus nerve, to reset and recalibrate the brain-body connection. 

The aim of the session is to ensure everything in your body is working in harmony and balance, and your vagal tone is enhanced. The effects can be life changing. 

Testimonials 

Clients have told me my bespoke sessions are very calming and relaxing, and they leave with very positive feelings. 

It took just three sessions to ease one client’s anxiety after years of trauma had left them stuck in fight-or-flight mode. They felt happier, calmer and able to be more present in ‘the now’.

Another told me how everyone had noticed a positive change in them after their session, while a couple who were experiencing fertility difficulties said my hypnotherapy had been “transformational” when it came to managing their stress and anxiety. 

I was delighted when they told me they felt “lighter, more positive and able to cope with the challenges” they faced. 

If you’re ready to restore your sense of calm and rest your vagus nerve, I’m here to help.

Book a free, initial consultation today and take the first step towards reclaiming your body and your life.