The Vagus Nerve - What is it and why is it so important for our health?

Key points:

• The vagus nerve controls many unconscious processes in the body.
• The vagus neural network interacts with inflammatory, mood, and pain regulation.
• This can be used for its neuromodulatory effect in the activation of restorative pathways.

The vagus nerve has been called the "great wandering protector" of the body. It is made up of an intricate neural network that maintains homeostasis and balance in important processes. Vagus means "to wander" in Latin, and the vagus nerve has earned this name due to its wide distribution that travels from most organs to the brainstem and projects to other regions of the brain. Reciprocal neural connections with several of these brain areas serve as a control center that responds to new information (stimuli) with appropriate adaptive feedback for modulation.

The vagus nerve has four vagal nuclei that provide key controls for the cardiovascular, respiratory, and alimentary systems with the respective neurotransmitters. It is the tenth of the twelve cranial nerves, being the main nerve that interacts with the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. Recent clinical studies have revealed that the vagus nerve is also involved in the regulation of inflammation, mood, and pain, all of which can be modulated by stimulating the vagus nerve.

Alejandra Giaco

Holistic and Clinical Reflexology

Applied Clinical Reflexology