The Science Behind VNS

The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that automatically regulates body functions like heart rate, breathing, digestion, urinary and genital function, inflammation, and emotional balance. Its sympathetic branch supports emergency response (“fight-or-flight”), which is balanced by its parasympathetic branch (“rest and digest” and biological cleanup and maintenance). The parasympathetic branch also manages social interactions and coordinates feelings of safety. When either branch is elevated, it suppresses the other one, to prioritize either emergency response or maintenance.

In Chronic Stress Response (common in modern lifestyles), the sympathetic nervous system remains stuck in the “on”-position, which keeps the parasympathetic nervous system turned off, weakening its maintenance function like an un-exercised muscle. The most important connection of the parasympathetic system is the Vagus Nerve, which is accessible close to the skin in the neck & external ear. Stimulating the Vagus Nerve “exercises” the parasympathetic system (like a muscle), so it can regain its influence and turn the sympathetic system off (except during an emergency response). Vagus nerve activity can be influenced by breathing, meditation, and yoga, but the simplest method is by direct vagus nerve stimulation on the neck or ear. This has been shown by published studies to help balance chronic stress & inflammation that contribute to many chronic health problems.

The Bradford Vagus Connection^TM electrode connects to a commercial TENS unit (electrical signal generator), for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS):

Commercial TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) units are available at low cost on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/), and have been used since 1974 by athletic trainers, physical therapists, and chiropractors to treat musculoskeletal pain. They typically have 2 channels, to treat both sides of the body. Each channel has a pair of wires connecting to 2 adhesive gel pads to apply electrical signals to the skin in appropriate locations. These gel pads are typically 2 inches size, and can be used several times before replacement, but are much too big for stimulating the vagus nerve effectively.

Custom-built VNS electronic units cost much more than TENS units. However, TENS units are easily programmable to the kind of electrical signals needed for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). Although the TENS electrodes are much too big for VNS, attaching the Bradford Vagus Connection electrode to a TENS unit is an easy low-cost VNS solution. (The vagus nerve is easy to access because it is close to the skin on the anterior neck and on the ear.)