Science Brief: Can Stimulating the Vagus Nerve Calm Stress? Latest Research Insights

What Is the Vagus Nerve and Why Does It Matter?

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, connecting the brain to the heart, lungs, gut, and beyond. It plays a critical role in the parasympathetic nervous system — responsible for “rest and digest” functions that counteract the body’s stress responses. By sending calming signals from the brain to the body and back, the vagus nerve helps regulate breathing, heart rate, digestion, and even mood.

Why Researchers Are Excited About Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

Although invasive vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been FDA-approved since the 1990s for treatment-resistant epilepsy and depression, recent studies are shifting focus to non-invasive forms of stimulation — especially transcutaneous VNS (tVNS), which targets the vagus nerve through the skin, most often via the ear. Scientists are now exploring tVNS as a tool to combat chronic stress, anxiety, PTSD, and systemic inflammation — conditions closely tied to nervous system dysregulation.