Tips on how to regulate the Vaga Nerve

Would love some information on this as well with my autoimmune system not nsync I would love to get my gut in a better place so is it eating more kefir or yogurt taking small doses of probiotics and prebiotics and if you don't take those on a regular basis you definitely don't want to start with a large dose that's for sure with my experience I've tried it and it can be hard on your stomach if you've never taken them before baby steps

Like even just doing organic yogurt 4 oz to get your gut bacteria back and track is a good start and if you can't do lactose or yogurt then I would say they try prebiotics and probiotics but by the ones you refrigerate and try a children's dose and organic of course as well... 🌈

This sounds strange, but humming and singing--maybe the vibration--activate the vagus nerve.

More recently, I read a story in the NY Times that vibration pills were sometimes used to quicken intestinal motility, which is driven by the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)--for which the vagus nerve is the main conduit. I should know better because I've learned that the autonomic nervous system is strange, but I laughed at the improbability of such a tool--that is, until I realized that I often had to stop during my bike rides at a portable toilet for a bowel movement . . . right after riding a rough section of trail with lots of vibrations! Not sure if the vibrations stimulate the vagus nerve or, maybe more likely, the intestinal tract, but, even if the latter, this process may offer some support for humming and singing.

Anyhow, you may wish to consider broadening your approach beyond the vagus nerve itself to the PNS. Try things to activate the PNS, like square breathing, meditation, prayer or mindfulness, hugging (dogs are fine!), practicing gratitude, and other techniques you'll find on (reliable) internet sites. I do not practice these things because they are virtuous; I practice them for the direct impact that they have on my PNS.

On the last point, consider getting a Fitbit-type device. I got one a couple of months ago. It provides lots of info while you sleep like pulse, respiration rate, oxygenation level, skin temperature and heart rate variability, which is a measure of the different intervals between heart beats, which itself is a measure of the healthy synergy between your rest-and-relax PNS and your fight-or-flee sympathetic nervous system. I've also used my Fitbit as a biofeedback device to check my pulse in real time to see if I'm getting into fight-or-flee w/o justification--like a lion stalking me!!

Gut neural health raises even more issues. I go with probiotics like goat yogurt, goat kefir, and homemade sourdough bread daily. Although I eat lots of fiber, I'm unsure about the scientific support for prebiotics, as such, but I suppose they do no harm. I cook slow and eat slower. And I monitor my consumption of various antinutrients like raffinose and lectins to avoid digestive/neurological distress.

Hope you get some ideas from this. Good luck.

Wow, this is all so hopeful. Thank you so much!!

I definitely want to learn more about the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve is responsible for the regulation of internal organ functions, such as digestion, heart rate, and respiratory rate, as well as vasomotor activity, and certain reflex actions, such as coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting. This all important major nerve functions very well on its own and I cannot understand why people are trying to regulate what this nerve does? Without this nerve we would most likely cease to exist due to the many important physiologic functions the vagus nerve controls. Leave it alone and let it do its job. If you have clinical studies showing how a person can change the function of their vagus nerve please share it as I’m interested. I don’t believe it’s possibly but I’m open to changing my mind.

Your comment raises an important point. Most of us are familiar with the saying that perfect is the enemy of good. I take it another step and say that better isn't always so friendly with okay. These sayings remind us always to weigh the costs and benefits of a drug or a procedure. The greater the impairment, the more risks of adverse consequences that we should be willing to take on. And it should go without saying, if there's no impairment, we should not take any drugs or undergo any procedures, as another saying tells us, don't fix what ain't broken. Regrettably, though, the automatic nature of the autonomic nervous system doesn't prevent it from sometimes going out of whack.

Thanks. Good info. My IBS definitely reacts to stress. I was at my storage locker with a moving company. Had an explosion and had to send them away. Stressful having to make decisions about keeping/tossing items.