Running along either side of your neck is a pair of marvelous fibers that scientists call the vagus nerve. Sometimes called a “pacemaker for the brain,” this nerve connects the brain to most major organ systems in your body.
For centuries, the vagus nerve has chugged along in relative obscurity, but recently it has reached an almost mythical status among podcast hosts, social media influencers and others in the wellness ecosystem. Can’t sleep? Hit it with electricity. Stressed out? Keep zapping. Brain fog, inflammation, digestive issues? You guessed it.
“There are billions of web impressions and social media posts on the vagus nerve,” said Dr. Kevin Tracey, a neurosurgeon and the president of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health. “A lot of it is being driven by influencers who are saying, ‘Just do this to simulate your vagus nerve, and all the problems in your life will be solved.’”
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