The Vagus Nerve is the longest of our twelve cranial nerves. It makes up about 75% of the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). It begins in the medulla oblongata, at the base of the brain that connects the spinal cord. The vagus nerve splits off from there into many different branches that extend all the way to your abdominal cavity. Perhaps this is why the PSNS is called the ‘rest and digest’ response.
This important nerve helps us to calm down as we exit flight or fight mode. This is the normal stress response that activates the sympathetic nervous system, which we will discuss in a future article. The vagus nerve provides signals from your brain to the rest of your body which regulate the following:
- Heart,
- Taste,
- Speech,
- Skin Sensations,
- Muscle Sensations,
- Immune Response,
- Respiratory Rate,
- Blood Pressure,
- Mucus Production,
- Saliva Production,
- Digestion,
- Frequence of Urination (Note: it can also help the bowels to eliminate feces),
- And Mood (which is most important for our purposes).
As mentioned earlier, the vagus nerve has multiple branches. Did you know that your left and right vagal nerves join to form the vagal trunk? These branches connect at your esophageal hiatus. This is the exact place where your esophagus passes into your abdominal cavity (belly). Your vagal nerve branches include:
- The inferior ganglion branch – serves nerves and muscles to your throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx).
- Superior ganglion branch, which serves nerves that go to your spine and ears.
- Vagus nerve branch – handles nerves that serve your heart, lungs and esophagus. (Note – your esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth and your stomach).
It’s important to keep your vagal nerves healthy since they affect so many body parts and functions. The best way to protect the health of your vagus nerve is through lifestyle changes such as:
- Eating well
- Exercising
- Managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes
- Practice relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation or hypnotherapy, among others.
As you can see, the vagus nerve is central to many bodily functions. It is a powerhouse of the Parasympathetic Nervous System. Learning how to care for it is a great way to practice self-care and can improve your ability to regulate your emotions and self-soothe. If you are looking for tips on activating the PSNS, please reach out to me at dcgoodson@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.
Deanna Goodson 