Share this post
Meet your new best friend – your vagus nerve.
Through simple biohacks, we can use our bodies to affect our mood, focus, and productivity.
In this video, naturopathic physician Dr. Erica Zelfand introduces the vagus nerve – a nerve that travels from the head to the throat, heart, lungs, kidneys, digestive tract, and even our sex organs. In each of these locations on its way through our body, it plays an important role in balancing the fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest branches of the autonomic nervous system. She then introduces the concepts of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and polyvagal theory in a fun and easy-to-follow way. Dr. Zelfand also offers guidelines on how to use body-based activities like diaphragmatic breathing, laughter, alcohol cessation, and forest bathing to cultivate a calmer, happier, more focused version of yourself.
The information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult your physician or healthcare provider if you have specific questions before instituting any changes in your daily lifestyle including changes in diet, exercise, and supplement use.
Share this post
Dr. Erica Zelfand
Related posts
Fat-Soluble Vitamins, Immunity, Vaccinations, and Respiratory Health (Video)
How vitamins A, D, and E help keep us safe all year long In this video, Dr. Erica Zelfand explains the important impact of fat-soluble nutrients on immune function. After explaining the difference between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, Dr. Zelfand explores the details of how vitamins A and D and different forms of vitamin…
Herbs for Times of Stress
Herbs from around the world to help with stress, fatigue, and the chaos of life “What doesn’t bend breaks,” as the saying goes, and the degree to which we are expected to “bend” is ever increasing. Our ability to stay focused, adaptable, and calm is of the essence in our fast-paced, outcome-oriented culture. Although…
Sleep, Cytokines, and Inflammation
The pro-inflammatory consequences of the lack of sleep So many of us struggle with sleep, and have difficulties getting enough rest in terms of both time and quality. Whether it be due to nighttime awakenings to care for children or loved ones, a demanding job, or a health condition, sleep problems can cause trouble…
Easing Pain, Naturally
Drug-free, natural remedies for pain Just about nobody likes to be in pain. That may be why there are so many drugs out there nowadays that effectively treat it, and why we so consistently seek them out. While synthetic analgesics like opioids, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen can be effective in quieting pain, these drugs also…
Inflammation Drives Depression
Move over serotonin, inflammation is the new target of depression treatment Is inflammation a bad thing? Not necessarily: Inflammation helps the cells of the immune system fight infections and repair injuries. Like many things, however, the key to inflammation is balance – not too much, and not too little. Too little inflammation allows infections…
Breaking Habits and Making Resolutions
Natural substances that can help our mood and support healthy choices in the New Year and beyond As echoes of “Happy New Year” grow more distant, and we brace ourselves for the remaining long winter, the resolve with which we embarked upon our January 1 resolutions can rapidly erode. With January 17th as the…
Categories
- Botanicals (56)
- GI Health (53)
- Healthy Aging (121)
- Immune Support (39)
- In The News (39)
- Kids Health (21)
- Stress and Relaxation (50)
- Uncategorized (1)
- Video (9)
- Vitamins & Minerals (51)