PHYSICAL WELLNESS
your calm down pathway
THE VAGUS NERVE
The vagus nerve is like a secret switch for your nervous system.
It helps your body shift out of stress mode and into calm, rest, and repair.
It’s the longest cranial nerve — running from your brainstem to your gut — and it:
Slows your heart rate and deepens your breathing
Supports digestion and nutrient absorption
Helps regulate inflammation + immune responses
Affects your voice, face, and emotional tone
Plays a key role in how safe, calm, and connected you feel
VAGUS NERVE BASICS
Common Terms + Simple Definitions
Here’s a mini glossary for brain-related words you’ll see throughout the site:
Vagus Nerve - A major nerve that helps calm the body and regulate digestion, mood, and inflammation
Parasympathetic - The “rest and digest” branch of your nervous system — activated by the vagus nerve
Tone (Vagal Tone) - A measure of how well your vagus nerve works to bring your body back to calm
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) - A sign of nervous system flexibility — higher HRV often means better vagal tone
Polyvagal Theory - A theory that explains how the vagus nerve affects safety, emotions, and social connection
Dorsal Vagal - The older part of the vagus nerve — can lead to shutdown or freeze responses when overwhelmed
Ventral Vagal - The newer part — helps you feel safe, connected, and regulated
WHAT THE VAGUS NERVE WORKS WITH
vagus nerve + OTHER SYSTEMS
The vagus nerve is part of a big network that helps your body stay in balance:
Brainstem: Where the vagus nerve begins — regulates basic life functions
Heart + Lungs: Receives calming signals to slow down
Digestive Organs: Controls movement, enzyme release, and gut-brain signals
Immune System: Helps lower inflammation when activated
Facial Muscles + Vocal Cords: Affects how we express and connect socially
Diaphragm: Works with your breath to send calming signals up to the brain
It’s a two-way street — the vagus nerve sends messages both to and from the brain.