The use of Vagus Nerve Stimulation to treat refractory seizures

by Warren Whitfield, Acudetox Academy Online

If you have seizures that have not responded well to other medications, your doctor may suggest the use of vagus nerve stimulation. Vagus Nerve Stimulation VNS is a surgically implanted device that is used to deliver electrical impulses to the brain in order to help control seizures. The electrical impulses are sent through the vagus nerve, which is located in the neck.

VNS is typically used as a last resort for people with refractory seizures, as it is a relatively invasive treatment option. The surgery to implant the VNS device involves making a small incision in the neck in order to access the vagus nerve. The device is then connected to the vagus nerve and placed under the skin.

After the surgery, you will be given a handheld device that you can use to deliver electrical impulses to the brain when you feel a seizure coming on. The electrical impulses help to reduce the severity of the seizure and can sometimes stop it from happening altogether.

VNS is not a cure for seizures, but it can help to significantly reduce their frequency and severity. If you are considering VNS, be sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor to determine if it is the right treatment option for you.

The vagus nerve is the body’s superpower, and it can counteract stress and help you become more resilient. When activated, this nerve helps you feel calmer and more compassionate. It also benefits your mental health and autonomic nervous system. The vagal tone can help you regulate your emotions and improve your physical health. It can also help you get through difficult times in life. Having a healthy vagal tone can help you succeed in life.

What Is The Vagus nerve

The longest cranial nerve in the body is the vagus nerve, which is also referred to as “wandering.” This nerve is located throughout the body and is able to connect the brainstem to the body. It helps the immune system and fight inflammation.

The vagus nerve has four main functions: sensory, motor, parasympathetic, and special sensory. During neuroception, it can be activated depending on the environment’s safety or danger cues. The dorsal is the back, while the ventral is the front. Both parts can be activated when you analyze the environment’s safety or danger cues.

The three states of response that are activated by the vagus nerve are mobilization, immobilization, and social engagement. Having a healthy vagal nerve can help you respond properly to your environment.

Its Also Referred To As The Love Nerve

The vagus nerve is activated when people feel empathy and compassion. According to psychologist Dacher Kelter, kids are more likely to help a fellow student with their homework or intervene with a bully. In a lab, he said that participants were shown images of suffering and that those who had a strong vagal nerve profile were more likely to exhibit empathy.

When people were shown images of pride, their vagal nerve decreased. It then became more capable of fostering common humanity among people of different backgrounds. Stephen Porges refers to it as the “love nerve.” It’s a part of our caretaking nature.

Gut Feelings

According to Medical News Today, the vagus nerve is responsible for sending information to the brain related to anxiety and stress. This signals help people manage their fears and deal with stressful situations.

Emotional Regulation

The sympathetic nervous system can trigger the flight or fight response whenever it perceives a threat. On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system can calm you down when a danger is over. For instance, if you are being pulled out of harm’s way while crossing the street, the parasympathetic system would immediately activate. However, your brain might still be in a panic mode if you are still in danger.

The vagus nerve is a part of the body that helps us to remain calm and to know that we are no longer in danger. It also helps us to “digest and rest.” During times of stress, the parasympathetic activates its dorsal region. If you are not feeling well, you might be in either parasympathetic or sympathetic states.

The parasympathetic states are characterized by the rest and digest. According to Irene Lyon, the parasympathetic’s polyvagal branch is responsible for social engagement.

The vagal tone is a function of self-regulation that can be restored through various forms of meditation and relaxation, such as breathwork. According to Frontiers in Psychiatry, the increase in the tone through yoga and meditation can help reduce anxiety and improve resilience.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is usually done alongside other procedures such as therapy and antidepressants. While you’re stimulating the nerve, you’re also able to bring back your sense of mindfulness.

According to Glenn Doyle, a clinical psychologist, the vagus nerve is deeply connected to our heart, our voice, and our gut. It lights up whenever we open our eyes to check in with what we’re feeling or experiencing. The nerve also lights up whenever we plug into the rhythm of the world around us or our own lives.

Singing, shouting, and speaking can stimulate the vagus nerve, which is similar to the Christmas tree’s lights. This is one of the reasons why people find these activities very emotional and cathartic.

Here are some ways to stimulate your vagus nerve:

Reset Ventral Vagus Nerve

In Stanley Rosenberg’s book, “Accessing The Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve,” there are several exercises that you can perform to reset the nerve. These include the basic exercise, the half salamander exercise, and the full salamander exercise.

The Basic Exercise

1. Lie on back
2. Interweave fingers on both hands and place behind head
3. Without turning your head, look to the right
4. Remain here until you spontaneously yawn or swallow
5. Return to the neutral state with head and eyes straight
6. Repeat on the other side

According to Rosenberg, the reason why people move their eyes is due to the connection between the muscles that move their eyeballs and the eight suboccipital muscles.

The Half-Salamander Exercise

1. Eyes looks right without turning head
2. Tilt head to the right towards shoulder
3. Hold for thirty to sixty seconds
4. Then eyes and head straight back to neutral
5. Eyes look left without turning head
6. Tilt head to the left towards shoulder
7. Hold for thirty to sixty seconds
8. Then return to neutral state

A variation for this exercise, you should look in the direction of the head tilt instead of the left. The eyes should look right and the head should stay left.

Full Salamander Exercise

1. Get on all fours
2. Head is facing down
3. Look left without turning head
4. Tilt head to the left
5. Let your left spine twist with the head tilt to the left
6. Hold for thirty to sixty seconds
7. Bring head and spine to center to straighten out
8. Repeat on right side

Other Ways to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve

1) Breathwork- diaphragmatic breathing

With your hands on your chest and your stomach pressed together, breathe in and feel your stomach expand. When you exhale, your stomach will go back down. This exercise helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. This is known as belly breathing.

2) Connection to others

Community and belonging help you to feel safe and secure. When you are connected, you are calmer and more positive.

3) Diving Reflex

You can stimulate the diving reflex by exposing yourself to cold water. You can do this by putting ice cubes against your face or by rubbing your face. According to Dr. Schwartz, the effects of the diving reflex can help decrease anger and improve mental health.

4) Humming, Singing or Gargling 

Singing or humming can help you feel better, as it can activate the vagus nerve, which helps remove negative thoughts and feelings. Don’t you feel a lot calmer when you hum?

5) Probiotics

It’s “clear to researchers that gut bacteria improve brain function by activating the vagus nerve.”, according to uOttawa.

6) Omega 3 Fatty Acids

You can also get these benefits from eating fish oil. But if you’re a vegan you can get them from other products such as flax, hemp seed oil, and nuts.

7) Mindfulness and Meditation

A study conducted on the effects of The Power Of Mindfulness on participants revealed that it can create a healthy vagal tone. This guide will teach you how to do this type of mediation, and it’s also a great way to practice mindfulness.

8) Yoga

Yoga is a parasympathetic activation exercise that helps with digestion, blood flow and more.

9) ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)

The practice of ASMR involves sending “tingles” from your scalp to your spine, which helps calm your nervous system. It can also trigger various sounds, such as tapping and scratching, which can help you enter a state of relaxation.

10) ‘OM’ Chanting

One of the best ways to activate your vagus nerve is by chanting “OM” over and over again. This is commonly used in various faiths, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, and it can help calm and create inner peace. Whether you are practicing a meditation or spiritual practice, this can help you create a state of relaxation.

11) Positive Self-Talk

“The bravest thing you can do when you are not brave is to profess courage and act accordingly.”, says Psychologist Christpher Bergland. This produces positive self-talk even when you are feeling afraid. Act in accordance with your affirmations.

6 alternative ways to stimulate the vagus nerve

1. Cold water: Splash your face with cold water or immerse yourself in a cold bath.

2. Gargling: Gargle with warm water for 30 seconds.

3. Vigorous exercise: Go for a run, do some jumping jacks, or take a spin class.

4. Deep breathing: Take some deep breaths, focusing on breathing from your diaphragm.

5. Massage: Use your fingertips or a tennis ball to massage the area around your navel.

6. Acudetox: Acupuncture Detoxification is a powerful and effective way to take the vagus out of the sympathetic and into the parasympatheic response.

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Conclusion

Your vagus nerve is a vital part of your body, and it can help you maintain a healthy tone. There are many ways that you can activate it, and it can be your secret weapon to a better you.