Parasympathetic nervous system and chronic diseases
Nowadays you increasingly hear about one of the newest electrotherapy treatments, neuromodulation, and within that, vagus stimulation. Neuromodulation achieves effects by stimulating the function of certain brain areas or nerves. One type is vagus stimulation, which increases the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. Some experts believe the method could bring radical change in the treatment of today's most common diseases (diabetes, atherosclerosis, autoimmune diseases, inflammations, depression, stress, sleep disorders and many others).
Watch this video of mine on YouTube or scroll down and read the details.
Autonomic (vegetative) nervous system
Our existence largely depends on a control system that operates automatically. The brain is the command center, and the autonomic nervous system transmits its instructions. You cannot substantially influence this function consciously, which is why it is called the autonomic (independent of will) nervous system.
Two main parts can be distinguished: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems. They have opposing effects. When one strengthens, the other decreases. It's like a seesaw — you cannot be up and down at the same time. Similarly, sympathetic and parasympathetic effects cannot operate simultaneously!
Sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system is known as the "fight or flight" system. Its evolutionary role was originally to ensure rapid response to danger.
When sympathetic activity increases, heart rate and breathing rate rise. Blood pressure increases. The abdominal vessels constrict and the amount of blood in the viscera decreases; digestion stops. Sugar is "pushed" from the liver and muscles into the blood, i.e. blood glucose rises.
This is meant to provide the muscles and brain with the best possible energy supply and oxygen. In addition, the pupils dilate, more light enters the eye, vision improves and alertness increases.
All processes that are irrelevant to immediate threat removal either stop or slow down significantly, so immune activity and metabolism decrease.
Parasympathetic nervous system
The parasympathetic nervous system has the opposite effect. It is also known as the "rest, digest, regenerate, reproduce" system.
When it is activated, heart rate and breathing slow down, and normal blood pressure is restored. Blood shifts from the muscles back to the viscera, which enhances digestion and nutrient absorption. Immune function increases again, boosting regenerative processes and reducing inflammation.
Stress decreases and fear and anxiety ease. Mental calm and emotional balance are restored. This promotes restorative sleep, which is of extraordinary importance because regenerative, self-healing processes can work most effectively during sleep.
What is it for?
Evolution or the Creator established the sympathetic-parasympathetic balance for situations where the danger was short-lived. The lion appeared, and due to sympathetic activation you hid, ran away, or fought. Such stress was brief, and otherwise parasympathetic activity — that is, repairing and healing injuries — was primary.
Nowadays the situation is completely different.
Earning a living is a struggle, settlements are crowded and noisy, the environment is polluted, food contains unhealthy substances, and there is little physical activity. School, work, family and social tensions affect almost everyone. Many carry these burdens constantly. Even at home they cannot free themselves from the grip of heightened sympathetic activity.
As I explained earlier, in sustained sympathetic dominance rest stops, the immune system does not work, metabolism halts, and there is no regeneration or self-healing!
If this persists chronically, the consequences will be depression, anxiety, inflammatory and autoimmune disease, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, tumors, cognitive decline and other health issues or a combination of these.
Effects of increasing vagal activity
If we can stimulate parasympathetic activity, that equals increasing the body's regenerative capacity. This could be one of the keys to treating chronic diseases.
Timing matters!
Many people now think: great — give us a vagus stimulator and we'll wear it from morning till night and it will offset all-day stress.
Well… that's the trap! It won't work that way, in fact it can't.
Parasympathetic activity is always secondary to the sympathetic because survival is paramount. Regeneration is needed only after you have survived the emergency.
While you're working on a tight deadline, running on the treadmill at the gym, or getting angry in traffic, sympathetic dominance cannot be overcome. If you watch tensely to see when the device will take effect… that doesn't help either.
Vagus stimulation must be integrated into your daily activity rhythm. It should be used at times when your body is naturally moving toward a parasympathetic cycle. This is typically night and rest. So use it before going to bed. You can read while using it, but it's better to meditate or do a few breathing exercises. If you scroll through your phone or watch a thriller… well, you're working against it.
If you apply stimulation regularly and persistently, it "re-teaches" the correct activity not only for the parasympathetic system, but also for the sympathetic system that pairs with it.
Don't expect miracles from a single treatment.
After a few weeks of use, however, results will gradually become noticeable. You can enhance the effect by changing your lifestyle. Start moving more, avoid snacking and unhealthy foods, avoid overeating, soft drinks, alcohol and cigarettes. Learn stress-management techniques.
You can purchase the Nurosym tVNS device that provides vagus stimulation by clicking here.
