12/04/2025
This is long but so important. Not sure why we are not taught this but I was told about 4 years ago that I had issues with my para-sympathetic system being in fight/flight/freeze mode pretty much 24/7. I had no idea how to fix that though or reset it, until now.
Information to know and understand:
The vagus nerve is one of the most powerful and influential nerves in the human body. Often called the “communication superhighway” between the brain and the body, it touches nearly every major organ system. When it is functioning optimally, the vagus nerve supports digestion, reduces inflammation, balances hormones, regulates stress responses, and keeps the nervous system calm and resilient.
But when vagal tone becomes weakened or disrupted, the effects can be surprisingly widespread—from digestive issues and chronic inflammation to autoimmune flares, weight changes, hair loss, and even emotional or cognitive symptoms. Understanding how the vagus nerve works—and what happens when it doesn’t—can be a profound key in restoring whole-body balance.
What Is the Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve (Cranial Nerve X) is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It runs from the brainstem through the throat, heart, lungs, digestive tract, and into the abdomen. It carries two-way communication between the brain and the body:
• 80% of vagus nerve fibers send information from the body back to the brain.
• Only about 20% send signals from the brain downward.
This means your brain relies heavily on the vagus nerve to understand what is happening inside your organs, tissues, and immune system.
The vagus nerve is the main controller of the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest, digest, and repair” system.
When vagus nerve function is strong, the body can:
• Digest food efficiently
• Regulate heart rate and blood pressure
• Reduce inflammation
• Balance immune responses
• Support metabolic and hormonal harmony
• Recover from stress
What the Vagus Nerve Regulates in the Body:
1. Digestion and Gut Motility~
The vagus nerve controls stomach acid production, enzyme secretion, gut movement, and the speed at which food travels through the digestive tract. It also communicates with the gut microbiome and the enteric nervous system (the gut’s “second brain”).
2. Heart and Lungs~
It regulates heart rate, breathing rhythm, and oxygen exchange—helping the body stay calm and steady.
3. Immune Function and Inflammation~
The vagus nerve activates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, a crucial mechanism that prevents chronic inflammation and keeps the immune system from overreacting.
4. Hormonal and Metabolic Balance~
Vagal signaling influences cortisol release, blood sugar stability, thyroid health, and fat storage.
5. Mood, Stress, and Cognitive Health~
Because the vagus nerve feeds directly into brain regions involved in emotional regulation, it significantly affects anxiety, depression, focus, and resilience.
What Happens When the Vagus Nerve Is Not Functioning Properly?
When vagal tone is low, communication between the brain and body becomes disrupted. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms—often seemingly unrelated.
Below are the major systems impacted when vagus nerve function is impaired.
1. Digestive Problems:
Weak vagal activity commonly leads to:
• Bloating
• Constipation or sluggish intestines
• Acid reflux
• Slow stomach emptying
• IBS-like symptoms
• Food sensitivities
This happens because the vagus nerve stimulates peristalsis (the muscle contractions that move food), digestive enzyme release, and stomach acid production.
2. Chronic Inflammation and Autoimmune Issues:
A poorly functioning vagus nerve cannot properly regulate inflammation. The immune system may begin to overreact, contributing to:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Psoriasis
• IBD (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)
Research shows that low vagal tone is associated with higher inflammatory markers, decreased immune tolerance, and increased risk of autoimmune disorders.
3. Weight Gain or Inability to Lose Weight:
The vagus nerve influences:
• Metabolic rate
• Blood sugar regulation
• Hunger and satiety signals
• Fat storage
• Thyroid activity
When vagal signaling is weak, the body tends to:
• Store more fat
• Become more insulin-resistant
• Crave more comfort foods (due to dysregulated stress responses)
• Burn fewer calories at rest
Weight gain may occur even when eating normally.
4. Hair Loss and Skin Issues:
Chronic stress, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances caused by low vagal tone can disrupt hair follicle cycles. This can contribute to:
• Thinning hair
• Stress-induced shedding
• Autoimmune-related alopecia
• Slower hair regrowth
The vagus nerve also influences nutrient absorption, which indirectly affects skin and hair health.
5. Mood, Anxiety, and Emotional Dysregulation:
When vagal tone is low, the body remains stuck in sympathetic “fight or flight” mode. This may cause:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Emotional overwhelm
• Brain fog
• Poor stress tolerance
• Sleep disturbances
The gut-brain axis is a major communication loop—and the vagus nerve is the main wiring of that loop.
6. Hormonal and Thyroid Dysregulation
Because the vagus nerve regulates stress hormones and metabolic signals, weak vagal tone may contribute to:
• Cortisol imbalance
• Thyroid irregularities
• PMS or menstrual symptoms
• Fatigue
• Blood sugar instability
This creates a metabolic environment ripe for weight gain, low energy, and inflammation.
What Causes the Vagus Nerve to Underperform?
Factors known to reduce vagal tone include:
• Chronic stress or trauma
• Poor sleep
• Infections (viral or bacterial)
• Gut dysbiosis
• Chronic inflammation
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Neck tension or injury
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Overexposure to stimulants
• Highly processed foods
These factors can compound over time, weakening the vagus nerve’s ability to maintain balance.
What if there was a way to activate the Vagus to get these functions working again? There is and I was finally shown it!
Comment Vagus if you would like to activate yours!
