Resource Roundup: A Functional Medicine Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Simple and Effective Strategies to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve is the communication pathway between the brain and the immune system, said Navaz Habib, DC, AFMCP, AcuP, author of Activate Your Vagus Nerve. And when the immune system becomes triggered or activated, we need a regulatory force.

“Every time there's an accelerator being pushed by some sort of stressor or trigger, we need the brakes to be pushed, and the brake signal comes from the vagus nerve,” explained Dr. Habib, who is host of The Health Upgrade Podcast.

Dr. Habib says balancing the body's “accelerator" and "brakes" is crucial, especially in managing inflammatory conditions. For instance, he explained that conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) often result from a lack of signals that keep the gut moving effectively and provide anti-inflammatory cues to the immune system. This deficiency can lead to leaky gut syndrome or dysbiosis, where harmful bacteria outnumber beneficial ones, exacerbating inflammation and discomfort.

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