There’s some exciting news in the health world, and it’s all about one of my favorite topics -> the vagus nerve!
The FDA just approved a tiny implantable device that could be a game-changer for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially those who haven’t found relief with, who can’t tolerate, or haven’t responded well to conventional medications.
Instead of using drugs, this device works by gently stimulating the vagus nerve (the nerve that helps calm the body, ease inflammation, and restore balance).
RA, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, leading to joint pain, bone erosion, deformity, reduced mobility, and long-term disability.
The idea behind the implant is to switch on the body’s own anti-inflammatory powers. Here’s how it works:
It’s implanted during an outpatient procedure. Once the device is implanted, it delivers a small pulse of electricity to the vagus nerve daily.
The results from clinical trials were pretty amazing. While many patients saw improvement in just three months, 75% of patients in the study were free of anti-rheumatic drugs at 12 months. And side effects were minimal; in fact, not one of the 242 patients discontinued the study due to adverse events.
For now, it’s only approved for RA, but researchers are already looking at using this approach for other autoimmune issues like Crohn’s and multiple sclerosis.
Why I’m excited
The implant is a non-drug alternative that taps into the body’s own healing system and could mark the beginning of more non-drug ways to treat dis-ease.
Vagus nerve stimulation is another example of the shift toward working WITH our bodies rather than just managing symptoms with medication. And while most of us won’t be lining up for implants anytime soon, there are plenty of ways to naturally stimulate your vagus nerve, through breathwork, cold exposure, meditation, gentle movement, and even humming or singing. Here are five easy ways to stimulate your vagus nerve to calm the body, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and boost your mood!.
It’s a beautiful reminder: our bodies are wired for healing. Sometimes they just need the right nudge.
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