The vagus nerve is one of the most important nerves in your body. It connects your brain to your heart, lungs, gut, and other organs. This nerve plays a key role in regulating stress, digestion, inflammation, and mood. Understanding the vagus nerve and its functions can help you improve your mental and physical health.
A well-functioning vagus nerve helps your body stay balanced. It supports:
Digestion: improves gut function, nutrient absorption, and gut microbiome health
Heart: lowers heart rate and balances blood pressure
Lungs: regulates breathing for relaxation
Brain: supports focus, memory, and emotional stability
Immune system: reduces inflammation and enhances immune response
A weak or unbalanced vagus nerve increases the risk of anxiety, depression, digestive problems, fatigue, inflammation, and irregular heart rate.
Symptoms of vagus nerve dysfunction include:
Persistent anxiety or feeling on edge
Digestive problems such as bloating, reflux, constipation, or nausea
Dizziness or fainting
Chronic fatigue and low energy
Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness
Loss of appetite or unexplained weight changes
You can naturally support and reset your vagus nerve with somatic tools. Practicing these daily strengthens the parasympathetic nervous system and restores balance:
Deep belly breathing: inhale 4, exhale 6-8, lowers stress and improves digestion
Humming, chanting, or singing: stimulates the vagus nerve through throat vibrations
Cold exposure: Splash cold water on your face to activate the vagus nerve
Yoga twists or cat-cow stretches: support digestion and reduce tension
Grounding exercises: press your feet into the floor, shake, or tap your body to reduce stress
Focusing on root causes of mental health issues, including vagus nerve dysfunction, provides longer-lasting results than relying solely on antidepressants. Correcting underlying imbalances improves mood, digestion, stress resilience, and overall wellness.
Dr. Achina Stein at Functional Mind LLC helps patients identify root causes of health challenges and restore balance using functional medicine. Her personalized approach targets both physical and mental health.
📞 Call: 401-270-4541
📅 Book your FREE 25-minute discovery call today: fxnmind.com/free-consultation-with-achina
