The "Vagus" Nerve

So what do we know about the "vagus" nerve???

Well . . . for those of you that haven't read my previous Health tip on this amazing nerve . . . let's refresh . . .

The "vagus" nerve is the 10th of 12 cranial nerves . . . also known as cranial nerve X for the Roman numeral 10.

Now . . . this nerve is the longest nerve in the body and originates in the "brainstem" and extends down below the "abdomen".

It monitors and receives information about the functioning of the heart, lungs, all other internal organs . . . and "yes" . . . even our "CELLS".

And due to it being in charge of information that flows to and from the brain . . . it's called the "vagal pathway" . . . which is a major "mind-body" highway.

So simply said . . . what the brain sees and feels in emotion . . . ultimately determines how the body will react through the "vagus" nerve.

You see . . . this nerve "stimulates" certain muscles in the heart that help to "slow" heart rate. And if this nerve "miss-fires" and "overreacts" . . . it can cause a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure causing "fainting".

Another good example would be . . . the "vagus" nerve manages the complex process in the digestive tract, including signaling the muscles in the stomach to contract and push food into the small intestine . . .

But . . . if this nerve is "not" functioning correctly . . . we have difficulties digesting our food. Or we digest too fast and we end up with diarrhea

Okay . . . so let's take a moment and discover exactly what the "vagus" nerve can do if working "CORRECTLY" . . .

Brain - the "vagus" nerve controls anxiety and mood