What is the vagus nerve and why is it important? Let me set the background for the answer. Our autonomic nervous system has two essential parts that regulate the vital functions of our bodies- the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is that part which is responsible for the “flight or fight” response to perceived danger. The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of the nervous system which lowers the heart, regulates digestion and coordinates rest and regeneration and hence the part we can activate through breathing to our body’s advantage.
Now for the vagus nerve. It is an extremely important part of the nervous system. It begins at the brain stem and connects the brain to the tongue, pharynx, larynx, vocal chords, heart, lungs liver, stomach, kidneys, spleen, pancreas and intestines and glands throughout the body, through nerve fibers. It influences digestion, hormones and many other aspects of the body. Through slow belly breathing we stimulate the vagus nerve and lower the “flight or fight” response by regulating the heart beats and blood pressure. It has the capability of improving neurogenesis (the process of new neurons being formed in the brain) and repairing brain tissue and regeneration throughout the body. Deep belly breathing is an essential part of maintaining a healthy process of homeostasis or physiological balance within the autonomic nervous system.
When we take a belly or diaphragmatic breath we activate the vagus nerve, which triggers relaxation. When we take a deep breath and relax and expand our diaphragms., our vagus nerve is stimulated, and immediately the parasympathetic nervous system is turned on, cortisol levels drop and our brain heals. It is in the relaxation that healing happens.
I am not a doctor, but I have spent the better part of twenty years researching and practicing this breath. It is through my own experience that I am writing. It is this breath that helped to bring balance to my body and rid it of symptoms of MS. It is why I’m so passionate about passing the message along. A gift given to me that I can’t keep to myself. Give it a try, what do you have to lose? You have so much to gain.