Sound & the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve has become something of an object of fascination on social media, with a New York Times article claiming over 70K Instagram posts with the hashtag, and millions of TikTok videos featuring #vagusnerve, there’s undoubtedly an increased interest in this mysterious bundle of fibres.

So what’s the big deal? How does it work and what is it’s link to reducing anxiety and stress? What does the scientific research say? First off, vagus from the Latin means “thousands of fibres.” These fibres run from the brain, down through each side of the neck, and branch out into our internal organs. Visualize a tree with branches extending out to interact with nearly all our nervous systems. Impressive stuff.

What is the vagus nerve responsible for?

The nerve basically picks up information on organ functions and transmits messages from the brain to the body. It regulates heart rate, digestion, voice, mood, immune systems and more.

The science behind it is truly fascinating. Research shows that stimulating the vagus nerve activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and can help people with PTSD, epilepsy, diabetes, and depression. Our understanding of this magical nerve continues to grow, as does the scientific research through clinical trials currently taking place in the US.

Until then, stimulating the vagus nerve so it can do it’s job well seems like a pretty good idea. So how can we do that in our day to day lives?

The good news is, it’s easy to integrate into a busy life with just a few tweaks to our habits. The holistic methods below receive widespread reports of elevated moods and an enhanced sense of vitality. My own personal experience of these techniques has had a profound positive impact on my health and mindset:

• Cold plunges

• Overtoning (blog post coming soon!)

• Mindfulness exercises

• Meditation

• Breathing techniques

• Sound baths

Sound & the Vagus Nerve

As a sound practitioner, I read tons on the effects of sound on vagus nerve stimulation. Soothing sounds, like the sound of a gong, the mantra 'Om', humming, crystal singing bowls and other instruments typically used in a sound bath trigger an overwhelming feeling of calm in the body.

These methods are not new, and sound has been used for centuries by ancient civilizations across the world to help with stress relief, pain, trauma, anxiety, and depression.

The link between the ears, vagus nerve, and parasympathetic nervous system is getting increased attention from scientific study and medicine. The vibrations of sound tend to have a very significant impact on all the areas of the body reached by this important nerve, and this is one of the reasons why sound baths can induce calming states and a sense of nourishment.

When we listen to sounds in a sound bath, the vibrations resonate in the eardrums and then travel along the vagus nerve. This in turn stimulates the PNS (parasympathetic nervous system) creating a state of 'rest and digest', sending a signal that it’s time to relax!

On a personal note, incorporating habits like sound baths and cold water plunges into my life helps me to re-balanced the demands of modern life. I believe that understanding the science behind it and the role of the vagus nerve has given me the tools and knowledge needed to restore balance and maintain a sense of peace in the day-to-day.

Disclaimer: information in this article is not intended as medical advice. You must always seek advice from a licensed physician before engaging in any holistic health interventions.