Technology and Your Vagus Nerve: Innovative Tools for Better Gut Health

I’ve seen firsthand how the connection between our gut and brain can significantly impact our overall health. Today, we’re diving deep into an exciting topic: how technology can help stimulate your vagus nerve and potentially alleviate IBS symptoms.

Understanding the Vagus Nerve

Before we explore the technological tools, let’s quickly refresh our understanding of the vagus nerve:

• It’s the primary nerve controlling our parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system.
• It connects the majority of our organs from the brain down to the tailbone, with the digestive system being a key component.
• Regulating the vagus nerve helps calm our mind and body, promoting cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive health.

For patients with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), whether it’s IBS-D (diarrhea), IBS-C (constipation), or IBS-M (mixed), stimulating the vagus nerve can be tremendously beneficial. It helps break the vicious cycle of stress causing GI symptoms, which in turn cause more stress.

The Quest for Quick Results

Many patients ask about the quickest way to strengthen their vagus nerve. While I wish I had a magic wand that could give you instant results, the reality is that everyone responds differently. Factors like individual physiology, environment, and diet all play a role in how quickly you might see results.

However, I have found three amazing tools that can help stimulate the vagus nerve and potentially lead to quicker results. Each of these tools is designed to reduce stress and strengthen the gut-brain axis, which can lead to reduced GI symptoms.

Three Innovative Tools for Vagus Nerve Stimulation

1. Nerva: Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy at Your Fingertips

Nerva is a mobile app that offers gut-directed hypnotherapy. I’ve been through the program, and it feels like a guided meditation. Here’s what you need to know:

• It takes users through four phases: induction, visualization, suggestions, and emergence.
• Each session lasts 15-20 minutes and is done once daily.
• The goal is to tap into your subconscious to strengthen the gut-brain axis.
• Research shows that 89% of people who complete the Nerva program better manage their GI symptoms, and 82% better manage their stress and anxiety.
• A study by Dr. Simone Peters from Monash University found that gut-directed hypnotherapy alone led to a 72% reduction in overall GI symptoms, including abdominal bloating and excessive gas.

Nerva is a six-week program that includes daily hypnotherapy sessions, educational readings, and breathing exercises. It also helps you track your IBS symptoms and stress levels, allowing you to see measurable results over time.

Simply purchase Nerva from your smart device in the app store, or click here. As of this blog, the annual cost was $199.

If you become one of my patients, you will receive a link for 25% off! I love the company philosophy of rewarding patients who are working with a trained practitioner such as myself!

2. Truvaga: Direct Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Truvaga is a device that directly stimulates the vagus nerve. Here’s how it works:

• It’s a handheld device with probes that you apply to the side of your neck, just behind the jugular vein where the vagus nerve is located.
• You use it for two-minute intervals, controlling the intensity yourself.
• The sensation is similar to a TENS unit used in physical therapy.
• It promotes stress relief, improved focus, and deep, restful sleep, along with reduced IBS symptoms.

The recommendation is to work up to two sessions a day, gradually increasing the strength to tolerance. There are two models available:

1. TrueVaga 350: Stops working after 350 sessions, costs $299.
2. TrueVaga Plus: Unlimited use, rechargeable, costs $499.

Both come with a 30-day risk-free guarantee, allowing you to get your money back if you’re not satisfied. To purchase, click here for my affiliate link.

3. Sensate: A Pebble for Your Parasympathetic System

Sensate is a unique device that looks like a small pebble that uses infrasonic resonance to stimulate the vagus nerve. Here’s how you use it:

• Place it against your sternum, adjusting the height for comfort.
• Connect it to your phone and use headphones.
• It works through three mechanisms:
  1. Infrasonic resonance: Vibrational frequencies that use bone conduction to signal the vagus nerve.
  2. A comforting hum that engages instincts of safety and relaxation.
  3. Soundscapes through headphones, coordinated with the pebble’s vibrations.

Users report impressive results:

• 48% reduction in stress in the first 28 days
• 60 extra minutes of sleep at night
• 30-minute decrease in time to fall asleep

Sensate takes a gentle approach to gradually strengthen the vagus nerve over time. Many users, including myself, use it daily for a 30-minute session to reduce stress and anxiety levels and improve sleep quality. Click here for my affiliate link and to explore the product yourself.

Choosing the Right Tool for You

Each of these technologies offers a unique approach to vagus nerve stimulation:

• Nerva is great for those who prefer a purely digital solution and are interested in hypnotherapy.
• Truvaga might appeal to those who want direct, physical stimulation and don’t mind applying a device to their neck.
• Sensate offers a more passive approach, allowing you to relax while the device does its work.

Consider your preferences, lifestyle, and budget when choosing which tool might work best for you. Remember, the goal is to strengthen your vagus nerve, reduce stress and anxiety, and ultimately alleviate GI symptoms by improving the gut-brain connection.

Conclusion

The gut-brain axis is a fascinating area of study, and these technological tools offer exciting possibilities for managing IBS symptoms and improving overall well-being. By strengthening your vagus nerve, you may be able to break the cycle of stress and digestive issues, leading to better health and quality of life.

If you’re interested in learning more about these tools or how they might fit into your health journey, don’t hesitate to reach out. As always, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional such as myself before starting any new health regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions.

Remember, everyone’s journey to better gut health is unique. These tools are just some of the many strategies we can employ to support our digestive system and overall well-being. Stay curious, stay informed, and keep listening to your body!

Resources

Nerva. An Overview of Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Referral one pager handout. Accessed August 23, 2024.

Sensate. Research. https://www.getsensate.com/pages/science-of-sensate. Accessed August 23, 2024.

Truvaga. Meet Truvaga. https://www.truvaga.com/truvaga/. Accessed August 23, 2024.