Table of Contents
Foreword vii
Introduction 1
Part 1 The Science
Chapter 1 What is the Vagus Nerve? 8
Chapter 2 Where Is the Vagus Nerve Located? 13
Chapter 3 The Functions of the Vagus Nerve 27
Chapter 4 How the Vagus Nerve Manages It All 57
Part 2 What Could Go Wrong In Vagus?
Chapter 5 Dysfunctional Breathing 65
Chapter 6 Dysfunctional Digestive Sequence 74
Chapter 7 Dysfunctional Microbiome 86
Chapter 8 Chronic inflammation and Immune Activation 93
Chapter 9 Dysfunctional Heart Rate 100
Chapter 10 Dysfunctional Liver Function 104
Chapter 11 Chronic Stress 108
Chapter 12 Dysfunctional Sleep and Circadian Rhythm 116
Chapter 13 Lack of Social Interaction 119
Part 3 Activating Your Vagus Nerve
Chapter 14 Measuring Vagus Nerve Function 122
Chapter 15 Exercises to Activate the Vagus Nerve 131
Chapter 16 Passive Methods to Activate the Vagus Nerve 162
Conclusion 170
Appendix 172
Bibliography 176
Index 186
Gratitude 195
About the Author 197