Intro to the Vagus Nerve (Supplementary Post)

What does it do, where is it and why does it matter?

---

What is the Vagus Nerve and Where is it?

The Vagus nerve is not a single nerve but a cluster of nerves extending from the brain to the gut. One common name for the vagus nerve is the “wandering nerve” (vagus means “wandering” in Latin) which reflects its elaborate, meandering structure that looks like a many-branched river drawn on a map. Another common name for the vagus is the “soul nerve” which conveys its deeper purpose in our life.

The image below is a photolithograph of a 1543 woodcut by Andreas Vesalius depicting the Vagus Nerve.

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body and is connected to many bodily functions affecting our physical health as well as the function of our moods and emotions and our relationships with others and our environment.

Some of vagus nerve’s functions in our everyday life are:

• the operation of our voice, heart, breath, digestion and other bodily functions

• generating compassion, altruism and empathy as the “love nerve”

• sending messages from our gut to our brain in the management of fear, stress and anxiety

• responding to “fight or flight” situations, helping us find calm during stressful events and to know when we’re no longer under threat so we can “rest and digest.”

The vagus nerve is responsible when our face reveals our true feelings, as well as moments when we’re able to express our feelings really accurately, or anytime we shout or sing.

The vagus nerve begins to vibrate as we turn inward to check in with ourselves, as we enter a flow state or act with intuitive knowing.