If you’ve been dealing with persistent health issues – whether it’s unpredictable digestion, inflammation, brain fog, anxiety, or feeling wiped out – you’re not alone. Sometimes, conventional medicine just doesn’t seem to have the answers, leaving people frustrated and searching for solutions. But what if something really important was flying under the radar?
What is the Vagal Nerve and Why Should You Care?
The vagal nerve – also known as the “wandering nerve” – connects your brain to most of your major organs. It’s like your body’s built-in switchboard, helping to balance stress (the ‘fight-or-flight’ mode) with relaxation (the ‘rest-and-digest’ mode).
For many of us juggling ongoing health issues, this balance can go completely off track. If your body is stuck in stress mode, it can struggle to switch gears into healing and repair, which can lead to more inflammation, gut problems, and feeling constantly on edge.
The Vagal Nerve and Histamine: A Surprising Link
Here’s where it gets interesting—your vagal nerve also plays a role in histamine regulation. When it’s working well, it helps keep inflammation in check and supports digestion and immune responses. But if your vagal tone is weak, your body might struggle to calm things down, leading to more histamine reactions—think flushing, itching, headaches, and gut discomfort.
Could Your Symptoms Be Linked to a Sluggish Vagal Nerve?
Since the vagal nerve is involved in so many processes, issues with it can show up in all sorts of ways, like:
- Bloating, reflux, food sensitivities, or digestive issues
- Histamine issues like itching, flushing, or random allergic-type reactions
- Feeling constantly exhausted or foggy-headed
- Anxiety, low mood, or feeling ‘stuck’ in stress mode
- Dizziness, erratic heart rate, or POTS-like symptoms
- Poor sleep or waking up feeling unrefreshed
- Heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or certain environments
- Brain fog
If you tick a few of these boxes and feel like you’re getting nowhere with the usual approaches, it could be worth looking at your vagal nerve function.
How Can You Support the Vagal Nerve?
The good news? There are some simple, everyday ways to give your vagal nerve a bit of love and help your nervous system find its balance again:
- Deep breathing and meditation – slow, deep breaths can activate the vagal nerve and bring calm
- Cold exposure – splashing your face with cold water or even cold showers can stimulate the nerve
- Gargling, singing, or humming – sounds strange, but these can help wake up vagal function
- Supporting gut health – because your gut and vagal nerve are constantly chatting to each other
- Addressing stressors like mould or toxins – reducing external triggers that keep your system on high alert
- Laughing – because let’s be honest, we don’t do nearly enough of it—especially when we’re not feeling our best! A good belly laugh isn’t just uplifting; it actually stimulates the vagal nerve. So, find something that makes you giggle, whether it’s a funny video, a chat with a friend, or even laughing at how ridiculous life can be sometimes!
Not every approach works for everyone, but small changes can make a real difference over time. It’s all about finding what works best for you.
The Eat Drink Live Well Approach to Vagal Nerve Support
At Eat Drink Live Well, we look at the bigger picture. We don’t just focus on symptoms—we dig deeper to understand what’s really driving your health challenges. That means considering vagal nerve function, stress resilience, gut health, and immune balance as part of a whole-body approach.
Rather than simply managing symptoms or following the latest health trends, we help you understand what’s happening in your body and how to take practical, sustainable steps toward feeling better. No fads, no overwhelm—just a clear, personalised plan that fits your lifestyle.
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References:
- Breit, S., Kupferberg, A., Rogler, G., & Hasler, G. (2021). Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 674540.
- Bonaz, B., Sinniger, V., Pellissier, S. (2022). Vagus nerve stimulation: A relevant therapeutic approach in gastrointestinal disorders? Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 34(8), e14375.
- Navarro, A., Rivero-Segura, N., Aceves-Salazar, M., et al. (2023). The role of the vagus nerve in immune regulation and inflammatory diseases: Current perspectives. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 20(1), 45.
- Zhao, L., et al. (2019). The vagus nerve in immunity and inflammation. Physiological Reviews, 99(2), 531-580.
- Wang, Y., et al. (2021). Vagus nerve stimulation for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): A potential treatment avenue? Autonomic Neuroscience, 235, 102871.