r/VagusNerve

I have been researching both the Nuropod and Zenowell Luna. Other than the price does anyone have experience with both these devices that they are willing to share? I did see another post that ranks them similarly via trustscore but hoping to get a little more first hand information before I pull the trigger. at this point I am leaning towards Zenowell.

I am dealing with gastritis and functional dyspepsia. My main problem is nausea and weight loss from getting full too early. I also have a TENS 7000 but I don’t feel comfortable using it because there’s too many variables which is why I’m looking at pulsetto or nuropod . What device would be best for me and my situation? Thanks

I no longer yawn, feel nauseous, or cough. While sleeping, saliva gets into my airways, indicating swallowing problems. My doctor recently checked my limb reflexes, and they are very weak in my legs and practically nonexistent in my arms. I also have a burning sensation in my extremities similar to electricity or vibration. I also have a lack of muscle tone.

.. This whole problem arose because of SSRI antidepressants. I haven't taken antidepressants for over a year, but my symptoms have only gotten worse. I have PSSD and a complete numbness of all emotions, including a lack of fear. It seems I'm stuck in a parasympathetic nervous system state.

Has anyone else experienced loss of reflexes?

Hey r/VagusNerve,

I am the solo developer of WhisprJournal, an Android app that helps users understand and regulate their nervous system using Polyvagal Theory and somatic healing techniques.

This is not a meditation app or a journaling app. It is a nervous system companion that uses voice input and AI to detect your nervous system state and match you with clinically-informed regulation techniques in real time.

What the app includes:

- Voice-based nervous system state detection using AI

- 12 somatic and breathing techniques matched to your state

- TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) with full audio guidance

- Polyvagal education with audio

- Morning check-in and evening wind-down routines

- Nervous system profile that tracks your patterns over time

- Body mapping to track how regulation affects your physical sensations

The app is currently in closed alpha on Google Play. I am looking for Android users who are interested in mental wellness, nervous system health, anxiety, trauma recovery, or somatic healing.

What I am asking of testers:

- This is a 14 day closed test required by Google Play

- You must keep the app installed on your device for the full 14 days — you do not have to use it every single day

- No payment required — testers receive lifetime Pro access free after the test period is complete

If you are interested, drop a comment below or DM me and I will send you the opt-in link.

Thank you for your time.

Has anyone had experience with VNS devices for post concussion syndrome symptom relief? I’m struggling with autonomic dysfunction related to PCS and was reading that it’s one of the things that could help. I am a bit skeptical with the format of some of the ads that I see, seems a bit gimmicky so I’m not sure if I should spend the money on it. Sort of seems like one of those “cure all” scams.

Hello! I’m very curious, since it seems like I can’t find many people who are going through what I am currently.

I stupidly crashed my nervous system a few months ago by drinking way too much fresh ginger tea for 10 days straight. (Like 100 oz a day, with no regular drinking water.) I had no idea the damage it was doing, and even though I was feeling very unwell, I continued to drink the ginger tea. By the time I realized what I was doing, I had really done a number on myself. I couldn’t walk for 3 weeks without feeling like my heart was beating out of my chest. I was extremely weak, and it took me a few weeks to begin to feel “normal” again.

Then, just as I was regaining some normalcy, I was suddenly struck with food sensitivities that I have never experienced in my life. It was like overnight, every single food I eat now makes me feel like my drink has been spiked. I get woozy, a little unstable, vision changes, and just feeling very off and weird. The symptoms last hours, only beginning to ease up when I start getting hungry again. I can still function alright, but it’s pretty awful. I am such a health conscious person and only eat whole, single ingredient foods prepared from scratch.

Now I am one month in, spent $1000 on doctors and blood work (which all came back normal) and no real answers. I still assume that it is my nervous system crash that’s causing all of this. I’ve had safe foods for a couple weeks and lost them overnight for no real reason other than a different phase of my cycle. Although I did drink a couple of tablespoons of kefir one day that seemed to really set me back.

I’m wondering if anyone else has ever experienced something like this, and what they did to overcome it. I just started the Safe & Sound Protocol yesterday and it’s currently my only hope, but I can’t help but be skeptical that it will actually help. I also ground in the sun, do breath-work, and walk 10 minutes after each meal daily.

Thank you for sharing!!

I have this tens machine. I understood that it would be suitable to use with ear clips for vagus nerve stimulation. I have problem with the machine. I cant get it working with ear clips. Any advices what to do and would this be suitable to use with ear clips?

amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QGQQOVG?ref_=pe_112168041_1111392281_t_fed_asin_title

I have been experiencing a throat/swallowing problem for the last 5 months. The symptoms fluctuate, but

during severe episodes I have extreme difficulty swallowing.

During these attacks, I cannot swallow even my own saliva and have to spit it out. Trying to swallow

repeatedly makes the symptoms significantly worse. Episodes usually last 30–60 minutes and have been

severe enough to require emergency visits. Swallowing itself triggers or worsens the episode rather than

food becoming completely stuck.

The main sensation is deep inside the throat around and just below the Adam's apple. It feels like a severe

internal cramp/spasm or as if the swallowing mechanism is not functioning properly. Speaking worsens the

symptoms during attacks, so I try to avoid talking. My voice may feel strained or abnormal. Breathing

remains possible, but it feels as if extra effort or pressure is required.

Even between severe attacks, swallowing is not completely normal. I eat very slowly and carefully because

swallowing can trigger a more severe episode. Large tablets are especially difficult to swallow. Swallowing

also causes increasing pressure in both ears, temporary muffled hearing, and occasionally ear pain. Hard

foods make these symptoms significantly worse. The symptoms are usually worse at night and become

significantly worse when my throat feels dry. Heavy or spicy meals can cause throat burning, irritation, and a

feeling of something being stuck in the throat. Recently, I have also developed a burning/stinging sensation

deep inside the throat, which becomes more intense during swallowing.

Recently, I have also experienced sudden episodes of deep, sharp pain inside the ear, sometimes occurring

even at rest. Yawning makes this pain significantly worse, and the painful sensation may radiate toward the

base of my tongue and deep inside the throat.

During one particularly severe episode, I experienced intense throat discomfort along with

numbness/tingling sensations involving the throat, face, neck, and body. I have lost approximately 3-4 kg

since the symptoms began.

During some severe attacks, I also experience sudden nausea without vomiting, whole-body numbness, a

sensation of reduced body sensation, very rapid or irregular heartbeat, cold feet, intense weakness, and a

feeling that I may faint. These episodes usually last about 10 minutes and have occurred repeatedly

(approximately 25-30 times), with one recent episode being the most severe.

When this attack happens, I cannot stop myself even if I want to and I definitely have to go to the emergency room. I am not able to handle it at home. 😢 😢

I'm trying to replicate a tVNS setup used in this study by Kevin Tracey. They used a TENS 7000 device with what they call a "a sensor probe (Blue Moon Health)" to target the vagus through the cymba concha. I'm trying to figure out exactly what this "sensor probe" is - there's a picture in the paper here, and they show how to use it at the beginning of this video.

Does anyone know what this "sensor probe" is and where to get one? "Blue Moon Health" doesn't exist anymore afaict. I'm actually not even sure if this "probe" was meant for TENS specifically (the search results for "TENS probe" bring up probes for ... well, a different kind of stimulation), it might be repurposed from some other sort of machine?

EDIT: finally figured out how to include an image :)

The probe and tens device

Hi all! Last week, Dr. Jane hosted a live talk around one simple question: What does great sleep mean to you?

Well, we did not want to turn it into a talk about “perfect sleep.” Most people are not sleeping just to get a high score on a wearable. They simply want to wake up feeling a little more restored, a little less tense, and a little more ready for the day.

1. Great sleep is not just about hours

Sometimes you sleep eight hours and still feel terrible. Sometimes six and a half hours feels surprisingly okay. A green score on a wearable can be helpful, but it does not always tell the full story.

Sleep quality also includes how long it takes to fall asleep, how often you wake up during the night, how much time you actually spend asleep, and how you feel the next morning. One point that stood out from the talk was that falling asleep extremely fast is not always a good sign. Sometimes it simply means your body is very tired and needs more recovery.

2. Wearable is helpful, but one night is not the whole story

Devices like WHOOP, Oura, Apple Watch, or Garmin can help people understand their sleep patterns. They can estimate sleep stages, recovery, HRV, and readiness, but they are not the same as a sleep lab.

The more useful part is the trend over time. One bad score does not mean something is wrong with you. It may be more helpful to ask what keeps showing up again and again. Was it late caffeine, a heavy dinner, a stressful week, too much light at night, or not enough morning sunlight?

3. Sleep affects more than sleep

Poor sleep can make the next day feel harder in ways that are easy to recognize. Stress can feel bigger, small things can become more irritating, recovery can feel slower, digestion can feel different, and even normal conversations can take more energy than usual.

Sleep is connected with stress, recovery, digestion, and the way we connect with ourselves and other people. Not in a dramatic way, but in the everyday way many of us have probably felt before.

4. Better sleep starts long before bedtime

A lot of people only think about sleep at night, but sleep is shaped by the whole day. Dr. Jane talked about small habits like getting morning sunlight before checking your phone, taking a short walk if possible, drinking water after waking, being careful with caffeine timing, keeping naps short, avoiding heavy meals and alcohol close to bed, using warm dim light in the evening, reading something boring instead of scrolling, and keeping the bed mainly for sleep.

None of these habits are very exciting. But that may be the point. Sleep is often built through small things repeated over time, not through one perfect nighttime trick.

5. A routine should make you less anxious, not more

Tracking can be useful, but if tracking makes you more stressed, something is off. The goal is not to chase a perfect score. The goal is to understand your own patterns a little better.

That also applies to vagus nerve routines and taVNS. We do not see it as a magic fix. For some people, it may become one part of a wind-down routine. For others, simple habits like light, timing, breathing, temperature, and screen boundaries may matter more. Real life is messy, people respond differently, and some changes may only show up after a week or two.

So we keep coming back to the same idea: watch the trend, pay attention to how you feel, and build routines you can actually repeat.

I've been reading the research on the vagus nerve and fibromyalgia, and it's fascinating.

Research suggests that people with fibromyalgia have lower vagal activity (measured by reduced heart rate variability), meaning the nervous system may have a harder time shifting from "fight or flight" into "rest and restore."

That could potentially explain why so many of us experience not only widespread pain, but also fatigue, IBS, poor sleep, brain fog, and why emotional or physical stress can trigger flares.

I'm curious about real-world experiences.

Have you tried anything to support your vagus nerve or calm your nervous system?

These are the science-backed things I have tried.

• Slow breathing exercises
• Gentle movement
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Gentle yoga or walking
• Humming, singing, or chanting
• Cold face splashes
• Improving gut health
• HRV biofeedback
• Vagus nerve stimulation devices

If so:

• Did you notice any change in pain, fatigue, sleep, IBS, or stress resilience?
• Was there one habit that surprised you by helping more than expected?
• Or do you think the vagus nerve is getting more attention than it deserves?

I'd love to hear both positive and skeptical perspectives. The research is evolving, and hearing people's lived experiences is often just as valuable.

I had my gb out on 10/15/2025....was doing ok until mid December.....since then I've had constant headaches usually on left back side of head sometimes spreading towards eyes sinus area and jaw etc.....also have had chest pains. I was referred to a cardiologist and all tests came back normal. I seem to have developed constant headaches...chest pains...extreme anxiety.....still have my GI issues....anyone else experiencing the same ? Is it post cholecystectomy? Could it be my vagus nerve?

I have seen my pcp...gastroenterologist...cardiologist...been to er to 3 times ans have said the same. Thats its nothing.

Vagus nerve issues is all I've found to explain

I'm looking for help, I started having some weird symptoms a few months back and now getting more and worsening of said symptoms. Any feedback is welcomed I'm just looking for anything to help me figure this out. It all started with horrible acid reflux and then dizzy spells which I was diagnosed with BPPV and GERD and now I'm having pain in my left side that comes and goes I have hotspots in the front of my left leg a sort of weird buzzing vibration in my anus some times neck pains shooting up to my head nausea gas bloating sweats face feels very warm as well as eyes but cool to touch and crippling anxiety and panic attack to the point of several ambulance calls and emergency room trips. I'm scared something is seriously wrong but a lot of the things I've read after typing my issues into Google all come back to a vagus nerve problem. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Has anyone had success with relief of any symptoms like the anxiety and dizziness? Those are my worst issues at the moment. Please please feel free to comment anything about your experience no matter how small or large the range if symptoms are. Thank you all for taking time to read this and an advance thank you for any help in my search for answers

Hi everyone.

I’m a 26-year-old male, and I’ve been dealing with unexplained physical symptoms for almost 2 years. I’m posting because I’m honestly trying to find people who have experienced something similar, especially if it turned out to be something GI-, vagus nerve-, or anxiety-related.

It all started in August 2024 after an extremely stressful period in my life. My first episodes were terrifying:

• waking up in the middle of the night feeling like I was about to pass out
• adrenaline surges
• internal shaking
• cold sweaty hands
• episodes of panic that felt completely physical

Over time, some symptoms improved, but new ones appeared.

My main symptoms now are:

• Episodes of intense internal tremor with no visible shaking.
• Cold sweaty hands during attacks.
• Feeling of “emptiness” or pressure inside my chest rather than pain.
• Frequent need to burp. Sometimes multiple burps make me feel significantly better.
• Feeling like there is trapped air in my chest that I cannot release.
• Anxiety often starts after the physical sensation, not before it.
• Sometimes after eating I get nausea, weakness and a huge adrenaline surge.
• During attacks I often suddenly need to have a bowel movement.
• PVCs / ectopic beats occasionally (I’ve had them for years).

The newest symptom (started 2 days ago):

Every time I swallow solid food, about 2-5 seconds later I develop a dull aching pain behind my sternum, slightly to the right and more towards my back. Sometimes it radiates toward my right elbow.

It lasts about 2-3 minutes after I stop eating and then disappears completely.

It does NOT happen with water.
Food doesn’t get stuck.
I can swallow normally.

Medical work-up so far:

• Multiple ECGs - normal
• Echocardiogram - normal
• Blood work - mostly normal
• Upper endoscopy (about 2 months ago) - normal
• H. pylori treated previously

Hello guys
i am a neuroscience grad researcher and have been exploring the space of vns for quite some time. I have tried tens 7000 with ear clips and noticed my HRV improving. Yet, i did not feel any subjective calmness. Is this experience similar to other people? I was also curious to know about the other devices everyone is using, and what you felt did not work when you used them. The benefits seem to be crazy based on literature and reports.

I am a neuroscience researcher and have been exploring the space of taVNS. We have been trying really hard to reach out to users of VNS devices. Feedback will help us understand better and solve for a better device (if needed). I respect everyone's time and wish to have a small chat about what worked for you, what did not and what could be better. I promise to share my my findings (raw and inferred) here on the subreddit for everyone.

Thank you!!

Im struggling with a recent diagnosis of fibromyalgia and I’m trying to avoid medication as I’m stupidly sensitive to it.

Had anyone tried any of the vagus nerve stimulators or the Sereni Stim with any success?

Thanks ☺️