How Stimulating the Vagus Nerve Aids Childhood Trauma Recovery
For the next two weeks, we will look at vagal nerve stimulation and how it helps aid in recovery from childhood trauma.
Have you ever heard of the vagus nerve? It is an important part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is made up of the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), according to traditional theory. Twelve nerves originate in the brain and the vagus nerve is one of them.
The vagus nerve is the largest nerve system in the body. It is responsible for relaxing sensory information plus controlling muscle movement. It controls movement around the back of the mouth which helps swallow food. It also controls heart rate and is responsible for contractions in the intestines and other parts of the digestive tract which allows food to pass through it.
Vagus nerve stimulation and calming the brain
Have you heard of the freeze, flight, or fight response? The SNS is responsible for the freeze, flight, or fight response, When the SNS activates constantly, your brain thinks it is always under stress. Depression and anxiety result. Getting the PNS to kick in is the key to stopping this from happening. Your body relaxes when the PNS activates and vagus nerve stimulation helps the PNS to kick in.
“When the sympathetic nervous system is constantly activated, it causes health issues since your body will not be able to nourish itself properly,” according to Richard Francis in his book, The Power of the Vagus Nerve: Your Body’s Secret Super Highway. “Your digestive system will be out of order and this will only make things worse, further reinforcing the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.”
The Polyvagal Theory
Dr. Stephen Porges first proposed the polyvagal theory in 1994. According to the polyvagal theory, there are three parts of the ANS: the SNS, the PNS, and the ventral vagus system (VVS). The polyvagal theory says the VVS can be stimulated to overcome the other circuits and put us into a state of mind that is better for our well-being. Vagus nerve stimulation can be used to override other parts of the ANS.
Eliminating unwanted anxiety and depression with vagus nerve stimulation
Anxiety and depression are two symptoms of PTSD. When it comes to anxiety, the goal is to eliminate unwanted anxiety, but not all anxiety. Some anxiety is good for it alerts us to danger. The brain’s way of processing triggers becomes warped, causing chronic anxiety. The way our brain rewires is one of the reasons why warping occurs. Anxiety, over time, reinforces itself. The good news is that studies show vagus nerve stimulation can reduce unwanted anxiety.
Studies show the VN can help heal depression. One study found that vagus nerve stimulation “was effective in reducing the severity of depression; efficacy increased over time.” What that means is that using vagus nerve stimulation over time reduces depression.
Vagus nerve stimulation
There are many ways to stimulate the vagus nerve, which include conscious breathing (observe your breath), meditation, laughter, prayer, probiotics, exercise, seafood, and fiber. To start stimulating your vagus nerve, begin a daily meditation practice where you observe your breath and also a daily prayer practice. There are numerous apps to aid you, including Insight Timer, which is a sort of one-stop place for meditation and prayer.
If you are ready for recovery, pray this prayer:
Oh Lord, I come to You needing recovery from childhood trauma. I now understand that with vagus nerve stimulation, I help myself recover. I ask You to empower me to do what will aid in recovery.
Image by Andrew Poynton from Pixabay