Demystifying the Vagus Nerve Complex

In the past few years the vagus nerve is all over the Internet and social media. This blog provides a clear understanding of the function of these nerves, how they becomes deranged and what you can do to heal yourself. It offers insights that support empowerment of individuals to learn to care for themselves and prevent declines in health that are avoidable. 

Illustration by Simon Abranowicz

What is the vagus nerve and why is everyone talking about it?

• The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve (CNX) and is the longest mixed cranial nerve in the body.
• It's a pair of nerves that originate from the left and right side of the brain stem at medulla oblongata. 
• The Latin translation of the vagus is 'wanderer,' which aptly represents its pathway of meandering down the body into all the major organ systems.
• It functions as an intermediary between the brain and the organs.​
• It's vital role is an essential part of the parasympathetic (autonomic or automatic) nervous system is in maintaining overall wellness.
• It also governs the expression of fight, flight or freeze response. As well as maintaining calmness in the body when one is not in fight or flight.
• The vagus nerve is also responsible for the biological process of protecting the body against invaders, such as chemicals and pathogens.

​Everyone is talking about it because modern research has lead to a the understanding that Taoist Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Old School Naturopathic practitioners have always understood....enervation of the nervous system is the underlying cause of most illness. 

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IN OTHER WORDS...
IF THE VAGUS NERVE IS UNHAPPY AND DIS'REGULATED, SO ARE YOU!
You can see from the simplified diagram to the left, that it literally interacts with all the parts of your body through its connection to the major organs, including the skin, arteries and more.
It maintains the health of the digestive system, manages inflammation and it is responsible for the all important connection between the gut and the brain.

 How do you know if your vagus nerve complex is dysregulated?

• Nervousness, anxiety, depression, emotional struggles.
• Gut disorders, IBS, constipation, GERD, acid reflux, digestive complaints.
• Choking, gagging, tickling coughs.
• Sleep disturbances, snoring, insomnia.
• Fainting, blood pressure & sugar instability, fluttering or rapid heart beat.
• Susceptibility to viral and bacterial infection.
• Sensitivity to chemicals, pollution, foods, mold etc..and more!

How did your vagus nerve become dis'regulated and lose tone?

• Infections and inflammation may play a role in that organisms can hijack this nerve pathway to the brain.
• Physiological and psychological stress over an extended period of time strains the vagus nerves.
• Ongoing trauma or unhappiness will affect vagus nerve tone.
• Overworking, exhaustion both mental and physical are detrimental to vagus tone
• Exposure to loud noise, living near a busy roadway or airport.
• Toxic, abusive and dysfunctional relationships affect vagus nerve functionality 

The most frequently offered advice for all of my clients in my wellness practice is STOP DOING SO MUCH! 

Why are we hearing so much about the vagus nerves these days?

• Nearly everyone suffers these days from issues related to exhaustion. The vagus nerve is going to produce the symptoms. The symptoms indicate a need to change and we all now know it's time for a change!
• Modern medicine has finally caught up to the fact that enervation is at the root of most health issues.
• We live in a time of a medical and marketing machines that are interested in offering expensive and exclusive therapies to take care of symptoms that they cannot offer a medication for.
• This medical machine proliferates the notion that only a medically offered therapy offers hope. It deters the idea that you can find healing yourself!
• We are also a fad oriented culture. If somebody tells us that we need to jump in cold water, then we're gonna do it every day and we're going to pay some salon or studio for a place to do that! 
• There are numerous devices being sold online to improve vagus tone ranging from $50 to100's of dollars. 

The fact that this information is available is a good thing.
The unfortunate side of it is the fact that there's so many snake oil profiteers making money from the process of improving vagus tone and not all is beneficial. This goes to back to my litany..."there is no magic pill". Including the myriad of therapies and manipulative techniques that are being offered for a variety of health issues. 

I say this and yet I am holding a class and creating a video on just that subject. However, my approach as always comes from the understanding that ultimately you are your best healer. As a Wellness Educator I am interested in one thing primarily: to give my clients and readers tools that they can use to be happy and be able to enjoy their life for a lifetime!

A return to age old adage..."a ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is in order. In Taoist and Traditional Chinese Medicine getting sick is the failure of the practitioner and patient...period!! The aim in these approaches is ALWAYS to PREVENT, rather than to treat. Within my wellness practice I employ a common sense perspective with emphasis on what Taoist Medicine refers to as Yang Sheng. Through these teachings I am offering empowerment to my readers and clients which is certainly more precious than anything in this world!
With that in mind read on.....

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Yang Sheng - Nourishing Life

Healthcare and prevention through Taoist teachings
Taoism predates Traditional Chinese Medicine as the oldest healing tradition on the planet. Taoism is a purely observational understanding that cannot be simply categorized as a religion, philosophy or medical system.  Taoist perspectives arise from the desire to live long, work out and prevent karmic debt. Wherein the expansion of awareness which leads to higher consciousness is considered the primary goal of one's life. All Taoist practices of self care arise from this notion and are collectively called Yangsheng

Yangsheng provides all the tools one needs to heal vagus nerve functionality and restore the body to an improved state of wellbeing. It is the cornerstone of my wellness practice with Bridge to Health..."Breathing, Sleeping, Laughing and Pooping" are the emphasis with all new clients. Once we establish these foundational adjustments most health challenges fade including lack of vagus nerve tone. Clients find themselves simply enjoying life more. 

Yangsheng derives from the the Huangdi Neijing (nei / jing defines as control of one's life energy) which is considered the oldest medical manuscript. It dates back to between 4,000 - 5,000 years. Describes within its contents is  a complete system of self care. It promotes the understanding that one is able to maintain optimal biological functionality at any age. It is interesting to note that many of the principles of Taoist Medicine have become the topic of numerous scientific Western studies. Researchers have time and again proven what the Taoist had discovered long ago. We are fortunate that through the lineages of Taoist teaching to have access to this profound information. 

What is Yangsheng?

• Yang is an active word/Chinese character form relating to nourishing, caring for, training, educating and cultivating. Its emphasis is on personal responsibility.
• Sheng emphasizes the act of living, growing, developing skills, utilizing natural instincts.
• Focus of yangsheng is balance.

In other words... Yangsheng is the practice of accumulating enough wisdom and knowledge to be able to properly care for oneself!

Western mindset failings have lead to the immature outlook of the average person in our culture!

• The Western way is a disconnected point of view precipitated by the belief we are to conquer and consume our way through life.
• This outlook leads folks to overextend themselves, over consume and become disconnected from the consequences of not using wisdom in the way they live their lives. 
• The result is a dependence upon a medical care system that profits from ill health and perpetuates the notion that the average person is not equipped to know what is best for themselves. 
• Cycles of ill health...physical, mental and emotional then plague families creating a nearly inescapable circumstance. 

Conversely Yangsheng promotes awareness as the primary healing tool. Diligence and commitment to one's own wellbeing as central to a well lived life. That self love is a spiritual and moral obligation of the individual as well as a duty to one's family.

The Yangsheng approach encompasses a variety of self care disciplines including

• The understanding of the principles of yin / yang as they relate to functionality of living organisms large and small. Respecting and maintaining balance of yin / yang is crucial to self care.
• Practices that improve the flow of qi / energy and information. The understanding of qi is much deeper than most people are aware...everything is qi. Qi is the energetic matrix all of creation arises from. You are an expression of qi. 
• Qigong literally to practice or master energy cultivation is a pillar of yangsheng as well as Neigong or inner alchemy. These practice integrate working with consciously cultivating breath.
• A variety of self treatment tools are utilized in daily or weekly rituals of self care including, acupressure tools such as gua sha combs and hand tools of various shapes and sizes. Bamboo tapping tools, stone or wood massagers as well.
• The use of water bathing and therapeutic treatments including foot baths, hip baths, hot and cold water treatments.
• Sound & music healing employed with instruments as well as tonal chanting and healing sounds are a key tool of these teachings as well.
• Emphasis is on the importance of sleep, moderate diet, pleasure, laughter, play, community and making adjustments in daily routine around the changing seasons.

Yangsheng promotes the ideal of what I call..."finding the middle path". Extremes in any form such as  over indulgence in food or alcohol, over exercising or working, excessive and obsessive sexual activity, irregular hours, falling into strong unchecked emotional patterns are all discouraged as these activities "burn" or dissipate one's qi leading to imbalance and inevitably symptoms!

​The cultivation of a quiet mind and strong Shen/Spirit are at the heart of cultivating one's ability to enjoy life.....being truly happy and healthy.

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"Healing the Vagus Nerve / How to be Happier"an upcoming event at the 
Awaken and Evolve Learning Center
9:00 - 1:00 / Feb. 24th 2024
This experience provides an opportunity to become initiated into
Yangsheng as a wiser approach to your own self care.
 Sign-up today
Subscribe to our Awaken & Evolve / Learn & Heal YouTube Channel
for upcoming video shorts covering Yangsheng and other topics 

www.vagaro.com/bridgetohealthwellness/servicesLearn more about: Vanessa Goldeen , Bridge to Health, Wellness Support, Learn & Heal Consult
FDA WARNING: Vanessa Goldeen does not diagnose, treat or prescribe for any disease or medical condition.