203 - Carissa Conrad - Your New Best Friend: The Vagus Nerve

We explore how the vagus nerve shapes recovery from Long Covid and chronic fatigue, and why building parasympathetic tone changes sleep, digestion, pain, and mood. Carissa Conrad shares clear guidance on non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, safe pacing, and common mistakes to avoid.• what the vagus nerve does across heart, gut, immune and inflammation• why sympathetic overdrive feels normal and how to spot it• paced breathing, humming and gentle tools to build vagal tone• what vagus nerve stimulation means and how it works• TENS versus ultrasound, ear and neck targets, parameter basics• passive stimulation to support busy days and low energy• go slow: dosage, safety, and early warning signs• using polyvagal maps to time stimulation and pacing• avoiding boom‑and‑bust while expanding activity• cost‑effective access, kits, and practical set‑up• the mindset shift: nervous system literacy for lifeLinks:Carissa's website: carissaconraddpt.com YouTube: @theVagusnervePTMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram  Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or [email protected]**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**