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Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

theguardian.com

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Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#11

Post by mindsuck »

voisin wrote: post #9

> Further research revealed that the brain communicates with the spleen – an organ that plays a critical role in the immune system – by sending electrical signals down the vagus nerve. These trigger the release of a chemical called acetylcholine that tells immune cells to switch off inflammation. Isn’t inflammation an important process for healing? Too much is obviously bad, but if we go turning it off, won’t that le…

I'm not a doctor so I won't pretend I understand how these treatments work but:

> Tracey immediately recognised the therapeutic implications, having spent years trying to develop better treatments for inflammatory conditions such as sepsis, arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Existing drugs dampen inflammation, but carry a risk of serious side effects. Here was a technique with the potential to switch off inflammation without the need for drugs.

I don't think anyone wants to switch off inflammation for everyone, all the time or as treatment for everything, but there's treatments where it's desired.

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#12

Post by jossclimb »

yamrzou wrote: post #10

The vagus nerve can also be stimulated by diaphragmatic breathing exercises and longer exhalations, see [1] and [2]. [1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-athletes-way/2... [2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-athletes-way/2... .

I feel down this rabbit hole after reading Breath by James Nestor. Got serious about practising 5.5 second inhales / exhales and started forcing myself to adjust to nose breathing (even during exercise)

It did a total number on my anxiety levels and pulled me out of the constant cortisol fuelled fight or flight mode I found myself as I slowly crashed and burned into the ground

I wish someone had taught me as a child, it would have made a marked difference on my life, I am sure of it.

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#13

Post by tibbydudeza »

tempaway43355 wrote: post #2

One of my children has severe epilepsy and has a Vagus Nerve Stimulation device implanted - Sentiva 1000 https://www.livanova.com/epilepsy-vnstherapy/en-gb/hcp/produ... It has really helped although obviously it took surgery and then also nine months of slowly tweaking the settings. Before the VNS they could (for example) not go on a trampoline for more than a few minutes without having a seizure, but now they're fin…

This is so awesome - thanks for sharing this - my daughter also has epilepsy, but it is fortunately controlled by medication.

It seems that stimulating the vagus nerve resets something to default in the brainstem when a cascade event is about to occur - probably shuts down the errant signals from propagating to the entire brain ???.

Do you know which lobe in her brain it happens ??? (my daughter has left temporal lobe)

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#14

Post by bgribble »

I have this dream scenario where they discover that the gentle swirling of a cotton swab in the ear canal stimulates the vagus nerve and has these tremendous health benefits, allowing the sanctimonious anti-cotton-swab-in-the-ear brigade to sit down and shut up for a minute.

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#15

Post by tibbydudeza »

jwestbury wrote: post #5

Nerve stimulation implants are really exciting. I have sleep apnea, and while I take to CPAP therapy pretty well, I hate having to travel with the device and I hate its limitations. When we travel, I have to ensure there's an outlet somewhere near my bed; I can't camp without a massive battery pack for my CPAP; I can't go backpacking; and even cuddling my wife at night is a challenge because of the hose hanging off m…

Also using CPAP and cuddling is a big problem for me as well. I have to sleep facing the opposite direction because the venthole in the nasal mask I can tolerate (F&P Eson 2) blows on her face.

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#16

Post by theobromananda »

voisin wrote: post #9

> Further research revealed that the brain communicates with the spleen – an organ that plays a critical role in the immune system – by sending electrical signals down the vagus nerve. These trigger the release of a chemical called acetylcholine that tells immune cells to switch off inflammation. Isn’t inflammation an important process for healing? Too much is obviously bad, but if we go turning it off, won’t that le…

Not an answer to your question but a comment toward the quote:

In Traditional Chinese Medicine terms, the spleen has always been described as the cause of chronic inflammatory disease. "Spleen deficiency" the core feature of ulcerative colitis and arthritis f.e.

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#17

Post by CobaltFire »

theshrike79 wrote: post #4

I have acid reflux and possibly a mild hiatal hernia. When it triggers in Just The Right Way, I also get severe panic attack symptoms. When I started investigating it (my coping mechanism during panic attacks) I discovered that the vagus nerve travels next to the esophagus through the diaphragm. So my complete layman explanation was that the stomach pushes through the diaphragm during a hiatal hernia -> it rubs again…

I’ve had recurring issues exactly like that for years. You have just given me something to look for (hiatal hernia) as that matches my symptoms.

Thanks!

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#18

Post by victorbjorklund »

tempaway43355 wrote: post #2

One of my children has severe epilepsy and has a Vagus Nerve Stimulation device implanted - Sentiva 1000 https://www.livanova.com/epilepsy-vnstherapy/en-gb/hcp/produ... It has really helped although obviously it took surgery and then also nine months of slowly tweaking the settings. Before the VNS they could (for example) not go on a trampoline for more than a few minutes without having a seizure, but now they're fin…

Wow, I had no idea that the science around the vagus nerve had progressed so far that we actually have implants that can be used in humans. Amazing. I'm so happy it helps your child.

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#19

Post by spread_love »

tempaway43355 wrote: post #2

One of my children has severe epilepsy and has a Vagus Nerve Stimulation device implanted - Sentiva 1000 https://www.livanova.com/epilepsy-vnstherapy/en-gb/hcp/produ... It has really helped although obviously it took surgery and then also nine months of slowly tweaking the settings. Before the VNS they could (for example) not go on a trampoline for more than a few minutes without having a seizure, but now they're fin…

Thanks for sharing. I'm considering VNS but frankly I'm terrified of complications and recovery time.

Re: Growing scientific interest in vagus nerve stimulation

#20

Post by baby »

jossclimb wrote: post #12
yamrzou wrote: post #10

The vagus nerve can also be stimulated by diaphragmatic breathing exercises and longer exhalations, see [1] and [2]. [1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-athletes-way/2... [2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-athletes-way/2... .

I feel down this rabbit hole after reading Breath by James Nestor. Got serious about practising 5.5 second inhales / exhales and started forcing myself to adjust to nose breathing (even during exercise) It did a total number on my anxiety levels and pulled me out of the constant cortisol fuelled fight or flight mode I found myself as I slowly crashed and burned into the ground I wish someone had taught me as a child,…

Post the technique here so lazy people like me can read about it!
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