225 — Control Your Vagus Nerve to Improve Your Mental and Physical Health With Dr. Kevin Tracey

What if improving your mental health and physical well-being could be as simple as understanding one nerve in your body? Research shows your vagus nerve plays a powerful role in your well-being. This week, I’m joined by Dr. Kevin Tracey, a world-renowned neurosurgeon and pioneering researcher, to explore the vagus nerve and how improving your vagal tone can improve your health. Some of the things we discuss are: What the vagus nerve is and why it’s crucial for your overall health. How vagus nerve stimulation is being used to treat conditions like depression and rheumatoid arthritis. Clear signs of vagus nerve dysfunction and how it connects to inflammation. Practical ways to improve your vagal tone, from exercise to breath work. Why heart rate variability might be a window into your health. The critical role the vagus nerve plays in building mental strength and resilience. Want more tips for building mental strength? Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get weekly AMA episodes and monthly bonuses to help you grow mentally stronger! Links & Resources The Great Nerve Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research Connect with the Show Buy Amy's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠books on mental strength⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Amy on Instagram — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AmyMorinAuthor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠AmyMorinLCSW.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsors Quince — Get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠⁠Quince.com/stronger⁠ OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #oneskinpod Calm — Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠calm.com/STRONGER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shopify.com/mentallystronger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ZocDoc — Go to ⁠⁠⁠Zocdoc.com/STRONGER⁠⁠⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today! Mentally Strong — Sign up for your free 7-day trial at ⁠⁠⁠MentallyStrong.Downpait.Ai⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices