21/02/2026
When people talk about the vagus nerve being treated with Reiki, they’re usually describing a symbolic and energetic approach rather than a medical one.
The vagus nerve is the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system — it connects the brain to the heart, lungs, and digestive organs and plays a big role in calming the body (often called the “rest and digest” nerve).
In Reiki practice, the idea is:
✨ What Reiki is doing (from a Reiki perspective):
Reiki practitioners believe they are channeling universal life energy through their hands to support balance and healing in the body’s energy system. When Reiki is focused on the vagus nerve area (head, neck, chest, and abdomen), the intention is to:
• Calm the nervous system
• Release stored stress or trauma
• Encourage relaxation and emotional regulation
• Restore energetic flow along the nerve’s pathway
✨ What’s happening physically (from a science lens):
Reiki doesn’t directly “heal” the nerve like surgery or medication would, but:
• Deep relaxation during Reiki can activate the parasympathetic nervous system
• This can lower heart rate, slow breathing, and reduce stress hormones
• These effects are associated with better vagal tone (how well the vagus nerve functions)
✨ Why people feel benefits:
Many people report:
• Feeling safe and grounded
• Reduced anxiety
• Emotional release
• A sense of warmth or tingling in the neck, chest, or belly
These experiences align with the vagus nerve’s role in regulating stress and emotional responses.
🌿 In simple terms:
Reiki doesn’t physically repair the vagus nerve — but it may help the body shift into a calmer state where the vagus nerve can function more effectively.