Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is a noninvasive therapy that targets the vagus nerve to help improve vagal tone and support balance within the autonomic nervous system.

Because chronic stress and autonomic imbalance are linked to inflammation, fatigue, cardiovascular strain, and accelerated aging, supporting vagal tone with VNS may contribute to better long-term health outcomes and overall vitality.

About the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body and serves as a major communication pathway between the brain and vital organs throughout the body. It plays a critical role in regulating several essential functions, including:

• Heart rate
• Breathing
• Digestion
• Stress response
• Sleep quality
• Mood and emotional regulation
• Inflammation and recovery

When vagal tone is strong and functioning well, the body is generally better able to adapt to stress, recover efficiently, maintain emotional balance, and support healthy cardiovascular and immune function.

Purpose and Potential Benefits of VNS

Chronic stress, illness, poor sleep, and inflammation can impair vagal function, contributing to nervous system dysregulation and a wide range of health concerns. By promoting greater nervous system balance, Vagal Nerve Stimulation may help in the following ways:

Results can vary from person to person, and consistent use is important for achieving the best potential benefits.

What Conditions Benefit From VNS?

Inflammatory conditions that may benefit most from VNS include, Long COVID, chronic migraine, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression/PTSD, IBS, cardiovascular disease, and POTS, among other inflammatory chronic conditions.

NuroPod® – A Wearable Vagus Nerve Stimulator

At The Kaplan Center, we use NuroPod®, a wearable VNS device that delivers gentle stimulation through the ear—where branches of the vagus nerve are accessible—to the brain, to help address symptoms of nervous system dysregulation.

If your Kaplan physician recommends VNS as part of your treatment plan, you will meet with our Nurse Practitioner for an overview of how the NuroPod® device works and a recommended treatment plan. Contraindications and precautions will also be reviewed.

Patients will be given the option to rent a device from our center or purchase a device directly from the NuroPod® website.

For best results, daily use is recommended. Typically 30 minutes, twice daily (a morning session strongly recommended).

Regular follow-up visits will also help monitor progress and optimize your treatment and go over an questions or concerns.

Additional vagal toning exercises to do at home may be recommended as combining VNS with healthy nervous system habits may improve results.

Heart Rate Variability & Vagal Tone

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measures the variation in time between heartbeats and is an important indicator of autonomic nervous system health and vagal tone.

Higher HRV is generally associated with, better recovery, greater stress resilience, improved nervous system flexibility, and better sleep and exercise adaptation.

If you have an HRV device, tracking your HRV regularly may help monitor your response to VNS therapy, however, it is not required.

For more information about VNS, please call 703-532-4892 (ext 2)

VNS therapy is intended to support nervous system regulation and wellness. It is not intended to replace medical care or treatment for serious medical conditions. Always follow the guidance of your healthcare provider regarding your individual treatment plan.