The vagus nerve acts as a highway, connecting vital organs to the brain. Mastering how to stimulate it may provide relief from stubborn conditions while fostering greater calm and resilience.
Certain autoimmune diseases may be linked to autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
Autoimmune diseases happen when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, including the nervous system. Inflammation from these diseases can make the problem worse.
Simple activities that stimulate the vagus nerve can help lower inflammation and improve symptoms for people with autoimmune diseases.
Nervous System Dysfunction
The vagus nerve is a critical component of the autonomic nervous system.
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Your autonomic nervous system has two parts: the sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”) and the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”).
When the sympathetic nervous system is activated for long periods, it triggers inflammation and the creation of reactive molecules, which harm healthy cells. This contributes to diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
People with these conditions often show signs of sympathetic nervous system dominance or parasympathetic nervous system dysfunction. This is usually reflected in low heart rate variability (HRV).
HRV is the variation in the time intervals between heartbeats. A higher HRV usually indicates a high vagal tone and healthy nervous system, with the body able to respond well to stress and recovery. A low HRV, on the other hand, suggests that the body is struggling to adapt to stress and is in an imbalanced state. This imbalance can worsen autoimmune responses as the body struggles to regulate inflammation and immune function.
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Such nervous system dysregulation can even predict and precede a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
Promising Treatment
A growing body of research suggests that stimulating the vagus nerve shows promise in treating rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The therapy’s potential extends to other autoimmune inflammatory conditions thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation, which is one of the main drivers of these conditions.
The vagus nerve helps regulate inflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (inflammation-promoting proteins). This is particularly relevant in autoimmune diseases, which cause the immune system to become dysregulated. This dysregulation leads to chronic inflammation and tissue damage, Jodi Duval, an Australian-based naturopathic physician and owner of Revital Health, told The Epoch Times.
“Consistent vagus nerve activation may decrease the occurrence of flares and help people sustain remission,” Dr. Priyal Modi, an integrative medicine practitioner and breathwork expert, told The Epoch Times. Stimulating the vagus nerve also improves mental health and alleviates fatigue, which many people with autoimmune conditions have to navigate as well, she added.
There are many ways to stimulate the vagus nerve, but transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) and deep breathing are the most researched and have shown the best results regarding autoimmune conditions.
About tVNS
The tVNS method uses a noninvasive device that gives light electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve through the ear or neck.
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In a study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, researchers recruited 18 lupus patients with musculoskeletal pain. Twelve of them received tVNS treatment, and six received sham stimulation. The researchers found that people treated with tVNS for four consecutive days had a dramatic decrease in pain, fatigue, and joint irritation.
Another 2023 study found that tVNS significantly reduced pain in patients with a type of autoimmune disease called systemic sclerosis.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a type of tVNS that stimulates the vagus nerve through the ear. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock
Deep Breathing
Another option is deep breathing, an effective and natural alternative for stimulating the vagus nerve, especially if a device-based approach is not accessible. Deep breathing has been shown to increase HRV, which indicates improvement in those with autoimmune inflammatory conditions.
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In a clinical study, patients with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus practiced deep breathing for 30 minutes. They followed a pattern of inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for six seconds (six breaths per minute), using visual cues to guide them.
The results showed that deep breathing improved the patients’ HRV. However, practicing for several days would lead to better results.
In another cross-sectional study, breathing cycles of four, five, six, seven, and eight breaths per minute were performed in a randomized order, with each cycle lasting two minutes. Breathing at a rate of five to seven breaths per minute produced the highest HRV values. These values were optimal for boosting vagal tone and improving the state of the nervous system.
Methods such as these create a state of safety within the body, where healing can naturally unfold, Duval said.
“In my clinical practice, I find it inspiring how such simple, accessible techniques (such as breathing) can profoundly influence health outcomes,” Duval said. “It speaks to the power of the body’s innate ability to heal when given the right tools and environment.”
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