How to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve for Mental Health | Balancing Your Nervous System 

Want more info on vagus nerve health? 📹Check out my other videos covering this topic: 👉 ru-vid.com/group/PLi_rLqrpbPGjCaAtr7g7BZRgoIYuCQXRx

A real game changer for me was understanding that meditation is not about controlling the mind but rather not being controlled by the mind. In time the observational faculty of the mind grows in strength beyond that of the mind chatter in every day activity and you stop reacting to the negative mental impulses.

1. Breathing cycles 5 to 10 times make noise with your throat 2. Eating clean proteins fruits & veggies vit D probiotics 3. Laughter 4. Light exercise like walking. 5. Prayer or meditation

I would like to say thank you. I have had anxiety, IBS, panic attacks, severe depression, chronic pain, inflammation, ADD, OCD, and even severe PTSD from the crap I’ve been through... I’m not a hypochondriac, I’ve just had a really miserable life for the past 34 years. Only yesterday did I learn about the Vagus Nerve and it’s role in the parasympathetic nervous system and I have high hopes that this will be one tool on my “toolbox” that I can use to get better.

Thank you! I am a singer with fibromyalgia. My diaphragm is always stuck . My left arm is stuck too. My scalene muscles get stuck and cause severe pain in my back. Everything thatYou said is significant to my health regimen. Extremely validating. I’ve been rehabilitating since 2010.

It's truly amazing how much our gut biome affects ALL of our body's systems~ super important to be aware of, & to educate ourselves thoroughly on. That being said, I think the vagus nerve is not so well discussed, yet as I research I continue to be amazed at the power we have to self-regulate & overall manage our health & well-being. That's a wonderful thing! So is this channel~ thank you for choosing to contribute in these ways, & with such an easy to understand, pleasant delivery of information and advice. I'm grateful to have found the channel✨ ~Samantha in AZ

In the 2 1/2 years since my heart attack and stenting I have been looking for a video like this. Absolutely brilliant. Thanks man.

And yes, I’m in too. Praise this doctor. God bless!

My mental health needed this from loss of my twin soul "behind the veil" in May, 2020. Thanx much. You gave me comfort in a touchy-feely method of keeping it together with logic & nutrition_ an important factor for me. Even the beach did not help me this much. I lost my appetite & had extreme weight loss that caused family concern. I am really grateful.from the Bahamas.

This is an amazing video, thank you for helping me understand all the symptoms I have been suffering for very long time.

Very helpful and well explained and demonstrated. May have just extended my life a bit just by listening. Thanks Doc. Much luv

Really useful video thank you. I also love that it’s just you talking, no annoying distracting music and sound effects, just straight to the point. Awesome. I would love to see more Vagus nerve toning exercises.

You Rock Doc. I appreciate your insight and would be humbled to touch bases... Thanks Doc!!!

Thank you for this video! I always knew that something in my digestive system was making me get really gassy and then I would get dizzy and then I couldn’t not drive my vehicle. It’s a horrible feeling when you’re trying to drive and all of a sudden my vision moves then I can’t drive but I knew it had to do with my digestive cycle this video makes a lot of sense!!!! I take enzymes too, it helps a lot!

Thank you, I wish there were more Doctors like you.

Thank you, Doctor. This was all very helpful.

Thank you for this information. This is exactly what I've been dealing with. I read another article a few days ago that was talking about this exact topic. I would like to mention too, that my cousin delt with similar problems and ended up having to get his Atlas put back in place because it was causing nerves in his neck to malfunction. I had a bad experience with a chiropractor years ago and it really upset my sympathetic nervous system. I had anxiety and reoccurring panick attacks, my skin hurt when it came in contact with hot water and all sorts of other issues I had never had before getting adjusted. The chiropractor hurt me so bad and caused so many issues. It took probably two years before my body felt normal again. They told me that something woke up in my body and that it would have even if I had never came to them to be adjusted. I knew that was a bunch of crap. I just wanted help getting my back in better functioning from a couple of car accidents I had been in. This makes so much more sense to me though because my bones pop a lot even on their own because my muscles aren't toned well enough to hold my joints in place. I know that may sound weird but it happens. The other day my neck popped while I was stretching and I felt a huge difference in my whole body. I felt calm and just, better! I knew then that it all had to do with my nerves and my spine. I have gut issues, mental health issues like PTSD, GAD, PDD, and emotional distress. I have had stool samples done, blood work done and all but two came back good. One of my stool samples came back with an elevation in inflammation, and one blood test came back with higher levels of Folate. My GI doctor thinks it may be SIBO. I read in the article that there's is a connection between gut imbalances and the vagus nerve. I also may have leaky gut. So I feel like a mess.

Very insightful video. Thank you! I practice most of the vagus nerve techniques, but your last step about posture may be what I need. I’m in Phoenix and wondered if you could recommend a corrective chiropractor near me. Thank you again!

I'm blown away , Mega Thanks

Insight Timer has SO much to offer, I use it EVERY day for one reason or another.

Thank you so much …..❤️🌹

I am a covid long healer… this is great! Thank you 🙏🏻

Thanking kindest Dr.

Thank you, really does help calm.

Thanks for your expertise!

Another way to reset your vagus nerve is to stand straight and try moving your neck to the left and to the right and you’ll notice one side stiffer. Then you lie on your back and cradle your head where your vagus nerve is ( basically at your brain stem) fingers clasped with thumbs down and you keep your head still and move your eyes to the left for 60 seconds then straight up for 60 seconds and then to the left for 60 seconds and back. You’ll probably yawn at some point and after your done you’ll notice the side you were stiff on is good again. It resets your vagus nerve and it bring a calm to you in fact it usually makes you sleepy. Sometimes you have to do it a couple of times over, but This works really well.

Dr. Gregg Gerstin… Your advise is excellent. There is another aspect to our persona which I believe is critical. That is the programming we have all been subjected to. Most of us are dysfunctional based on the families we have come from. Notice how many people who have achieved fame, fortune and great success yet manage to self destruct. Much is based on the bad choices that we make. There are three areas of life that I have uncovered. The first is relationship. The second is misplaced anger. And the third is childhood emotional traumas that stick to us like glue. Until we free ourselves from these damaging experiences, we cannot truly be free to be ourselves and lead a healthy life. Fortunately, I have broken the codes on all three components and have felt free for almost 50 years. We can learn so much from negative experiences.

Very helpful. Thanx a ton

Thx much doc sharing

You are a light in the darkness, Thank you Doc and many blessings your way keep up the good works!!!!!!!

Very helpful. I'm in my 30's, and recently started having breathing issues. My throat feels very tight and I'm out of breathe easily. I couldn't figure out exactly what had happened to me. I went to the chiropractor and it helped for awhile . I'll add these steps and see what happens 🤗 thanks

Wonderful resource. Thank you. 🌻

you have been so caring and helpful thanks so much x

Thanks for such a thorough video. I'd love to know how the vagus nerve is affected for people with alexithymia as often the only emotion they feel is fear, and that brings an incredible amount of stress to their digestive system etc, and wreaks havoc.

My doctor put me on the vagus nerve stimulating medication Mestinon (Pyridostigmine) to treat my gastroparesis/IBS-C and POTS/dysautonomia, and it's worked wonders for me. The vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system do a lot of important duties - such as regulating the "rest and digest" functions and calming the sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight" panic and anxiety response).

Great video! Good information and easy to follow.

Thank you so much

This video is great.. I've been dealing with pains around my throat, behind my ear and tension around my shoulders, hips ankles and knees., now turning into diarrhoea and complete lethargic feelings daily.. I am struggling to find a way out of this hole.

Great video, thanks! Do you recommend a specific type of chiropractor? I was recently reading about Torque Release Technique. Does chronic stress cause problems with the vagus nerve? Can the vagus nerve's functioning be improved even if there is a hiatal hernia that might also be causing interference? Thanks!

I'm recovering from COVID.The symptoms are not resolving as quickly as I would like, specifically the fatigue, weakness and brain fog. I'm a senior on a fixed income so I look for things that are free or affordable. Treating the vagus nerve is one f the first things that showed up.I control my blood pressure with paced breathing and this seems to fit right in. My meditation is Ho'oponopono. It uses a similar form of breathing along with a simple generic prayer that covers forgiveness and reconciliation: some call it magic. I'm so happy to have found your system that fits so well into what I'm already doing. It gives me hope for a complete recovery

Well done. Thank you

I think it's important to mention that not everyone can approach a breathing exercise and just do it...if we don't feel safe in our bodies it can be really triggering to hold our breath! This is where I'm at right now.

Thank you for this video. I have a forward arched neck that has caused mouth breathing, and my sympathetic nervous system is on over drive. I was just diagnosed last week.

Turned to youtube after no useful help from GP and found your channel. What a relief! I've been suffering with chronic solar plexus pain for the past couple of years that comes and goes. Each time the duration increased and it got to the point where it was debilitating. My GP said, it was nothing, don't eat spicy foods things like that but I knew it wasn't acid reflux, convinced it wasn't heartburn he just continued to prescribe useless meds. Knowing nothing about the vegus nerve I interestingly watched your channel and tried the breathing exercise, I could not believe the difference this made alone. Just breathing in through the belly and for a count of 4, probably for the first time, I instantly realised how tight and cramped everything was in that area. On the hold of 6 I could feel my muscles shaking because I can only believe they were so stressed and tight, I did the whole breathing exercise for 5 reps and felt the pain had almost disappeared. I repeated the exercise later that day and managed the full 10 reps. Next morning, again for 5 and noticed the abdomen area muscles were more of a glide rather than buffering. I have had 3 days now with very little solar plexus pain and less bloating when I eat too. I'm sorry this comment is so lengthy but I cannot stress and thank you enough for the relief I have gained, just by breathing!!!!! I have since tried the vocal (scaring both cat and a jay from the back yard...:D) and again, noticed a buffering in this too, so everything is just so stressed and tight. I've started looking at the nutrition and really keen to watch the rest of your videos which are very insightful and useful. Thank you so much Dr Gregg, you are doing such a great thing.

I have had a clicking noise only when i swallow my saliva in my throat and i went to check my thyroid and it was notmal, i had massive stress for 5 months and i started feeling neck pain, after a lot of research i noticed my uvula is tilted to left as well! drs didnt find anything but i have had digestion issues and acid as well! In one of your other videos i noticed you mention its the nerve! So here i am on this video hoping to get help from these excirciss and you are the only one that mention something that made sence! Thnx dr

I definitely laughed when you said humans and T-Rex lived at the same time.

I’m almost certain this has a lot to do with my autoimmune symptoms. Went to a chiropractor in Jan 2019 and he screwed up my neck even more. Started experiencing respiratory issues a few days later and back spasms for weeks. Cldnt sleep at night or move in bed without a spasms. Couldn’t sneeze or cough without spasms. The following months experienced dizziness/ vertigo, feeling of being underwater for a week. I think it also affected my digestion bcuz I had a really healthy diet, mostly plant based with only chicken and fish. Started feeling really bad around August-September. After numerous tests and scans found out I was deficient in vit D. I spent lots of time outside playing sports and with my dogs. I was also feeling easily stressed and nervous/ anxious all the time. I was usually a very calm person. I knew something was off but didn’t know what. Also started having neck stiffness when I slept. Again never had this prior to that chiropractor visit. Also experienced frozen shoulder for the first time which lasted 5 days. So after supplementing vit D3+k2 for 8-9 months fast forward to August 2020 I’m guessing the stress of covid 19 and being out work really messed with me and the straw I feel that broke the proverbial camels back is when I was moving some 30lb bags of garden stones. About 20 bags I carried one at a time across my shoulders back of neck and two days later my body started going crazy. Came home one evening and BOOM started having elbow pain and within 2hrs the pain was excruciating and I couldn’t move my arm. No swelling no redness just locked in pain. Was up most of the night in pain then it vanished as the sun came up. Was normal all day the following day and again that evening same thing happened. After 3 days of this it jumped to the other elbow and did the same thing. 3 days later jumped to my shoulder, then 3 days later the other shoulder. This pattern continued moving to knees then ankles, wrists then back to elbows then shoulders where I would eventually lose function at times and be unable to even lift my arms. By the end of week two I started having heart palpitations at night when I tried to sleep. All my symptoms would start in the evening and worsen into the night. Then crazy burning headaches on my left side began. At this point I realized something neurological was happening bcuz everything burned and then I began having tingling and numbness in my arms at night. Again when laying down to sleep an hour in my neck would start hurting then my arms went completely numb. This freaked me out big time. This cycle went on for 2 more months then burning started in my stomach. Oh at the end of week two I went for a covid test bcuz I cldnt figure out y my body would suddenly start going haywire. My tests were negative. Went to the local clinic and all bloodwork was normal except I had a high inflammation marker. So by middle of November the stomach burning began and weight loss started end of month. I never had a fever, cough, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea twice but that was after taking a few supplements. So I basically lost 25-30lbs over the next 4-5 months. Then I realized my neck was playing a major Rolle in my symptoms especially the arm pain and numbness. So started researching neck related health issues and found out about issues caused from vagus nerve damage or impingement. I noticed whenever I supported my neck at night in a certain area the pain subsided. Now bcuz I’ve lost so much muscle my neck is weaker so it’s been a battle. I’m still doing elimination diet becuz I also developed food intolerances that would cause more pain and inflammation. I’m guessing I developed leaky gut from the vagus nerve being affected causing improper digestion from inflammation. I can’t find anyone here who knows anything abound it here. I was a former athlete and was studying sports Medicine but changed later to computer graphics. So spent the last 20 yrs at a computer which probably contributed to neck issues, but I never had a serious issue until that chiropractors visit. My health went slowly down. I need help bcuz my body is deteriorating so fast. I look like a totally different person just after 6-7 months of this. People don’t even recognize me. I need serious help!!!

This is great - thanks!

Thanks Doc 🙏❤️

I hope you will show us exactly how to do meditation with the om sound

Appreciate you needed this what type of probiotic??

Awesome thank you!

Wonderful thank you❤️

Very interesting! I’m coming to the conclusion that all my issues could be connected. I was malnourished from a trendy diet I was on and completely wiped me out. My digestive system is just now really getting back online. You mentioned probiotics to help the Vagus nerve and there’s is truth to that because I was taking probiotics and enzymes to get back on track. Also having pudendal neuralgia nerve pain and stiff neck with pain. All this happened after being wiped out from a diet. I never had any of these problems before. Now I have anxiety and worry move than relaxing because I’m researching everything symptoms I come across. Mind you I been to my doctor and got a clean bill of health, I’ve been to a chiropractor and after 5 sessions couldn’t get rid of scrum pain let alone snapping hip 🙄 Soo frustrating.

Awesome video!! I’m wondering if my neck area might be the cause since I hold so my tension there. Any good recommendations for a chiropractor in the East Lansing , Michigan area? I see you are a “Michigan “ fan 😊

Thanks for your efforts 👍

Yhank u i was bogged in ur video i knew a little about yhe vagus nerve but u have given a complete concise education of the importance of this nerve in the body holistically i do yoga and meditate which is so helpful to me though from now on everyday im going to combine the practice of the vagul nerve excercises with my meditation and yoga we all need to do this for put holistic health especially in these times conveying my apreciation thanks again

I really enjoyed your video thank you so much. However I did want to point out that a lot of times fruits and vegetables Digest at different times so it's not good to eat them together. Actually fruit is best eaten alone because it does Digest so much quicker than other things

Oh my friend, thank you for this helpful information. I do want to suggest, however, that you might want to use a different scenario when explaining the Fight or Flight response to stress. Human beings did not coexist with any form of prehistoric dinosaurs. (I think that’s why the term ‘prehistoric’ is used.) I’ve seen people use other kinds of threats from the natural environment to describe what our brains and bodies do in response to danger. These errors happen to all of us. I once misspelled a spelling word I assigned to my students to learn (stold = stole). LOL

Tank u for the explanation

Thank you. I have a problem with the vagus but doctor does not take it seriously so seek other professionals. You have helped

Hi Doctor , i am having fast heart rate and i think it is because of this nerve and i am having gerd symptoms, is there a way to fix heart rate ?

Thank you Dr. This is extremely helpful. Please advise how I can contact you.

Thank You

That ORB in the beginning! You’re not alone. :-)

Wow, the spine aspect was quite a revelation. I had no idea. I have been a sloucher for a long time. About a year ago I had a traumatic event that triggered the most difficult year of my life in terms of mental health. Perhaps sessions with a corrective chiropractor could be the missing piece of the puzzle in my healing. Is there anyone you can recommend in the NYC area?

How do you find a good Chiroptactor in your town that you trust to work on your neck? In Seattle area? Also, what do you think of acupuncture?

Thank you 💕 blessings

Amazing video sharing sir so thank you

Did i heard this properly? This doctor thinks we lived in same time as dinosours? 😂😂😂

You had an orb on the left side at :15 !

Very good information man.

Ok, I started laughing about the tyrannosaurus Rex and realized you slip in some hilarious stuff. It made me want to keep listening Thanks for the info!

I have been under tremendous stress for 10 weeks now and won't go into the cause, but what I have been experiencing, is that when I am sleeping at night and wake up, the very second I move my body at all, my heart starts racing or pounding. Then it slows down but as soon as I move my body again even slightly, my heart does this again! Then if I can go back to sleep, when I wake up in the morning, once again, when I move my head or body even slightly, my heart starts pounding until I lay still. I told my doctor this, and he said its anxiety, but the second I wake up, I am NOT anxious. it is the slight movement that triggers my heart to pound so hard. NO ONE believes its these slight movements causing this, but I know it s, because it stops when I lay still. Can you please help me?

Except people weren’t around when Tyrannosaurus rex was around.😂😂😂😂

Explanation is excellent 👌 👏

I have Clusters Headaches. They treat me for Epilepsy? Wrong. They couldn't stop my seizures for hours 6-7 at times. Eeeeks! So Happy to learn about the Vagus nerve. And SO HAPPY You know to help us💞🕊

I have been suffering for the past 6 plus years. I tried acupuncture& various other things. Currently seeing a chiropractor since may. Still can’t lie down & peacefully sleep. As the head & spine seems to tense up to the point where my whole body pains and is in stress mode. Can you please help, I despair & quite often lose control. Meditation is extremely difficult due to the tension. I am persisting but my attempts are mainly futile . As soon as I lie down the pain in my head & neck is unbearable & after whatever little sleep I manage I wake up in pain . More severe on the head, back of the neck & shoulders Please can you help

Do you recommend a probiotic ? I go into stores and get overwhelmed trying to find one .

Thank you.

God bless you in every area of your life and all your family! Amen!🙏😁

How can this help with Afib and heart arrhythmia?

Thank you my vagus nerve was thumping and I was having heart palpitations

Great explanation

Praise god, god bless you brother

The second dose of the covid vaccine gave me strong side effects; fever 38.8C, chills and muscle ache for a couple of days. These subdued over a couple of days, but I still feel rather shook-up… messed up sleep cycle, fatigue, night sweats, low mood, anger and anxiety. TO what extent does getting sick screw with one’s nervous system afterwards? Specifically the para-sympathetic one. Previously I was doing lots of breathwork and vagus exercises in the follow up weeks, and now after getting sick from the vaccine it seem I lost all my gains. Is it normal that this happens? Shall I just leave the exercises for now, and wait till I fully recover? Is this what they call demyelination? I’m pissed :(

I have pain in that area and end up with neck pain. Tried gonstead and that didn’t work for me

GREETINGS FROM BOLIVIA. GREAT PRESENTATION---MANY THANKS

Thank you

I'm struggling so much... I was almost passing out today at the gym, a big pain came down my ear that went down my back, accompanied with stomach burn, sweats, nausea, I almost felt myself passing out... This is not new to me even on my daily life, I never got checked to VN dysfunction. Besides these I also have POTs, GI issues, I lost all my gag reflex and I have dysphagia. I think it's time to speak to my neurologist, I didn't wanted to place a VNS, so I'm looking into various alternatives, I already did so much surgeries due to EDS :/

Does the vagus nerve affect temperature regulation and sweating

Thank you for this video, great information!! Would this be helpful for vasovagal syncope in your opinion?

Thank u so Much

While lying in bed, use a Theracane to massage your neck, shoulders, and the back of your head. Also massage your hips if you want to add that’ll your routine.. You will relax so well it is amazing. The vagus nerve will be stimulated in a good way.

Good morning!! I am so glad I found your video!! I am on a journey to heal the vagus nerve as my body always feels like I’m in freeze mode. I’m doing all the items you listed BUT still not getting the relief I was hoping. I never thought about the spine being out of alignment and that being one of the reasons keeping me from achieving the results I’m looking for. I was so excited to see your “M” on your mini fridge I thought you may be in Michigan where I’m at….darn it! Would you know of a resource in the southeast Michigan area where I could get the specific treatment you mentioned?

Thanks.

4:20 This dude needs a joint 🌬

Did TRex ever meet a cavemen? I thought humans and Dinosaurs have never lived at the same time.

Jättebra meditation, skönt avslappning

Thank you this was so informative. Please can you go through what is best to eat again? Thanks 🙏