Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Mental Disorders and Increased Mental Health
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Mental Disorders and Increased Mental Health
Dear Thermalist Members!
Chronic stress is a pandemic and as you know, I advocate to us natural ways of lowering stress and the risk of associated diseases. One of the mechanisms to lower chronic stress is by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Mostly I have worked with this concept in a neurometabolic way through activation of brown fat. All this is what I teach in The Thermalist Education (you get 15% off in April).
The vagus nerve is one target mechanism we should consider when it comes to lowering stress. Today I would like to tell you about the science of activating the vagus nerve and how this impacts mental health.
I know the terrible impact that mental disorders can have on someone's life. It can affect their daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. When you are battling a mental illness, everything normally looks and feels different. The world can feel like a dark, overwhelming place with no escape.
However, there is hope. One potential treatment for mental disorders that is gaining traction is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
In this post, I would like to discuss what VNS is, how it works, and its potential benefits in treating mental disorders.
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What is vagus nerve stimulation?
The vagus nerve is a long cranial nerve that runs from the base of the brain down through the chest and into the abdomen. It plays a vital role in regulating many bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and breathing. It also plays a role in the communication between the brain and various organs.
Vagus nerve stimulation can be activated naturally with different stressors (such as cold water immersion), but it is also a medical procedure that involves implanting a small device, similar to a pacemaker, under the skin on the left side of the chest. A wire from this device is then connected to the vagus nerve in the neck.
The device sends electrical signals to stimulate the vagus nerve, which can then help regulate brain activity and improve mental health.
How does vagus nerve stimulation work?
VNS works by sending electrical signals to the vagus nerve, which then leads to changes in brain activity. These signals can help regulate certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, that are involved in mood regulation.
By stimulating the vagus nerve, VNS can also trigger the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth of new brain cells and can improve mental health.
According to Robert H. Howland, the use of Vagus Nerve Stimulation devices is effective in treating conditions such as depression and heart failure. These VNS devices are implanted and connected to the right cervical vagus, with some designed to affect heart function preferentially. A newer version of the device called FitNeS System has a cuff electrode that minimizes side effects from the stimulation.
There is also a transcutaneous form of VNS (t-VNS) for those who prefer not to have an implanted device. This method targets the cutaneous receptive field of the Auricular Branch of the Vagus Nerve (ABVN) by sending electrical signals through contact electrodes placed on or near the ear.
The use of t-VNS has been approved in Europe for treating conditions such as epilepsy, depression, and pain. The frequency and duration of treatment sessions vary depending on the device used, and there is no established standard for administering t-VNS. Some studies have shown that it is safe and well tolerated by patients.
Now, let us focus on how VNS can treat mental health issues.
How Does the vagus nerve stimulation treat mental disorders?
Most studies dealing with brain stimulation have focused on treating various mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results suggest that VNS may be a promising treatment option for these conditions.
The FDA has also approved VNS for treating certain mental disorders, including depression and treatment-resistant epilepsy. It is also being studied as a potential treatment for other conditions such as anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease.
Next, I am going to focus on different mental disorders that vagus nerve stimulation can help - whether that is with a medical device or naturally!