Why Is the Vagus Nerve So Special?
The vagus nerve, also known as the 10th cranial nerve, is the longest nerve in the human body, extending from the brainstem all the way down to the abdomen. It is a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls many of our internal bodily functions, such as digestion, heart rate, and respiratory rate. In this blog post, we will explore why the vagus nerve is important and how it affects our overall health and well-being.
Regulation of Internal Organs
The vagus nerve is responsible for the regulation of many of our internal organs, including the heart, lungs, and digestive system. It is responsible for slowing down the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and promoting relaxation. The vagus nerve also plays a key role in digestion, stimulating the release of enzymes and increasing the production of stomach acid, which aids in the breakdown of food.
Reducing Inflammation
The vagus nerve also plays a role in reducing inflammation throughout the body. When the vagus nerve is activated, it releases a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which has been shown to reduce inflammation in various organs and tissues. This is important because chronic inflammation has been linked to a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Mental Health and Emotional Well-being
In addition to its physical effects, the vagus nerve is also important for our mental health and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that stimulating the vagus nerve can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve mood, and promote relaxation. This is because the vagus nerve is connected to many areas of the brain that are responsible for regulating emotions and mood.
One study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that vagus nerve stimulation was effective in reducing symptoms of treatment-resistant depression in patients. Another study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that vagus nerve stimulation improved mood and quality of life in patients with major depressive disorder.
Overall Health and Longevity
Given its wide-ranging effects on the body, it is not surprising that the vagus nerve is also important for overall health and longevity. A study published in the journal Nature Communications found that a reduced vagal tone (or activity) was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, highlighting the importance of a healthy vagus nerve for long-term health.
In conclusion, the vagus nerve is an incredibly important component of our nervous system, playing a crucial role in regulating many of our internal bodily functions, reducing inflammation, improving mental health and emotional well-being, and promoting overall health and longevity. It is therefore important to take care of our vagus nerve through practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and exercise, which have been shown to stimulate the nerve and promote optimal health. And all of these practices can be experienced during the soft flow sessions. We combine breathwork, gentle movement with deep restful time to make sure our vagus nerve is happy.
Sources:
Fagius, J., & Wallin, B. G. (1980). Long-term variability and reproducibility of resting human vagal tone. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 118(2), 123–130. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1716.1983.tb07167.x
Tracey, K. J. (2009). Reflex control of immunity. Nature Reviews Immunology, 9(6), 418–428. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri2566
Treadway, M. T., et al. (2016). Vagus Nerve Stimulation Enhances Extinction of Conditioned Fear and Modulates Plasticity in the Pathway from the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex to the Amygdala. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 10, 178. https://doi.org/10.3389/f
