The Vagus Nerve and Glymphatic System How they Synergistically Work Together for Brain Power!
Hello My Herbal Allies,
I hope you had a chance to read my June blog about the glymphatic system. It is a good place to start to understand what your brain is craving! Read Blog Here
Briefly, I will recap. The glymphatic system is the lesser-known cousin of the lymphatic system, dedicated solely to the brain. Who would’ve thought!
It is most efficient while you sleep in flushing out waste, toxins, and junk from your brain. Yes, all that junk floats around up there too! It’s your brain’s clean-up crew.
If your brain and nervous system detox pathways are struggling, you might notice:
Brain fog or difficulty focusing
Trouble sleeping or waking up unrested
Low mood or anxiety
Chronic fatigue
Headaches or head tension
Slower recovery after illness or stress
How They Support Each Other Synergistically:
The vagus nerve and glymphatic system are best friends for life!
The vagus nerve, which many people have heard about, is the longest cranial nerve in the body, extending from your brainstem down to your gut, touching your heart, lungs, and digestive organs along the way. It is a major part of the parasympathetic nervous system, known as "rest and digest”. When the vagus nerve is activated, it sends signals that help slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and calm the nervous system. It acts as the body’s calm-down switch.
So how do you activate the vagus nerve to shift your body into a relaxed state?
I thought you might ask that. Practices like meditation, humming, deep breathing, tuning fork therapy, acupuncture, massage, cranialsacral therapy, facial massage, gua sha and other calming modalities are all powerful ways to stimulate vagus tone.
But then how do you activate the glymphatic system?
By activating the vagus nerve! They work together synergistically. Vagus activation is one of the most effective ways to support the brain’s glymphatic function, and exactly what the brain needs to cleanse and detox more efficiently.
Bottom Line… A calm nervous system leads to better sleep and rest ~ Better sleep/rest leads to stronger glymphatic flushing ~ Stronger flushing leads to a cleaner, clearer brain!
So, the vagus nerve sets the stage by signaling the body’s natural detox pathways to help reduce inflammation in the brain, allowing the glymphatic system to flow and function more effectively. Together, they help keep your brain healthy, sharp, and detoxed.
What You Can Do To Support This Dynamic Duo
Prioritize deep, consistent sleep. Stay as close to a schedule as possible.
Hydration is essential for both glymphatic and lymphatic flow.
As mentioned above, humming, deep breathing, tuning fork therapy, acupuncture, even gargling, all help strengthen the vagus nerve.
Don’t forget to take care of your body’s lymphatic drainage as well. Bodywork modalities with tuning forks, cupping, acupuncture, massage all stimulate vagus nerve pathways and lymphatic flow.
Massage Savage Salve’s Original Blend while doing THE BIG 6 along with gentle shoulder shrugs and neck stretches. The lymph moving organic herbs in this blend will help improve your body’s lymphatic and fluid drainage.
True healing begins with conscious, daily choices. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Listen to your body and lean into what supports your wellbeing, taking gentle responsibility for showing up for yourself each day.
Consistency is a quiet form of self-love. The more you support your body, the more it will support you in return.
Wishing you balance and ease,
Donna
Donna Nesteruk, L. Ac.
Licensed Acupuncturist,
Tuning Fork Instructor and Practitioner
Big 6 Credit to Dr. Perry Nickelson