July/August 2023 Alchemical Voice

THE VAGUS NERVE &
YOUR HEALTH
Martin Lewis
Alchemical Voice - L2M - Issue 21
So……..what is the ‘Vagus Nerve’?
Your vagus nerve is one of your body's longest and
most complex nerves. It runs from the brainstem
through the face, neck, chest, and abdomen and
regulates a wide range of bodily functions.
This important nerve helps regulate the heart rate by
sending signals to the heart to slow down or speed up,
and plays an important role in digestion, helping to
stimulate the production of stomach acid and digestive
enzymes, and controlling peristalsis (constriction and
relaxation of muscle) in the digestive tract.
The vagus nerve also helps regulate breathing by
controlling the muscles involved in this process
(namely the diaphragm and the muscles that enable
the ribcage to expand). It is also involved in regulating
mood and emotional state, and has been linked to
conditions such as anxiety and depression. Last but
not least it is involved in regulating the immune
system, helping to reduce inflammation and protect
against infection.
As you can see, the vagus nerve is involved in a wide
range of critical bodily functions.
Problems with the vagus nerve can lead to a range of
health issues, including:
Gastroparesis, is a condition occurring when the
muscles in the stomach are unable to contract
properly, leading to delayed emptying of the
stomach. Heartburn and indigestion are classic
signs of Vagus nerve dysfunction.
Obesity, the inability to lose weight can often be
relevant to the Vagus nerve, affecting digestion
and slowing metabolism.
Bradycardia is a condition characterised by a slow
heart rate, typically less than 60 beats per minute.