It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
originally posted by: NateTheAnimator
a reply to: watchitburn
And people seem to brag about this stuff, like it's the cool thing to be a genetic weak link.
Yeah I hear people brag all the time about how they were severely abused sexually,physically and emotionally by people they trusted. Whether it be friends or family, it's absolutely the best thing ever.
I hear neurological disorders like dementia is the new cool.
Your lack of empathy is seriously F***ing disturbing...
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used to control seizures since 1979. Well, the procedure, which uses a pace-maker-like device implanted in the chest, has recently been approved for treating tough cases of depression. And how ’bout this? A non-invasive VNS device is under development and will soon be ready for clinical trials.
But when it comes to depression and anxiety relief, you don’t have to fool with invasive or non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation. Nope, you can learn and practice vagal maneuvers. Here are just a few…
Immersing your face in cold water (diving reflex)
Attempting to exhale against a closed airway (Valsalva maneuver). It’s usually done by closing your mouth, and pinching your nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon. A modified – less impactful on the Eustachian tubes – version can be performed by breathing with the glottis (the vocal folds and the opening between them) partially closed. Just do the exhale while making a “Hhhh” sound, like when you’re cleaning your glasses.
Singing
Tensing your stomach muscles as if to bear down to have a bowel movement (carefully, now)
Diaphragmatic breathing techniques
Hey, I’m not into yoga, though I so want to give it a go. Anyway, I’m told basic yoga routines can stimulate the vagus nerve. And yoga-associated activities can, as well. Included is chanting – listening and vocalizing. Incidentally, I find making soft and low-tone chanting/moaning vocalizations very soothing.
Oh, one more idea. I’m really into visualization – it’s always worked well for me. So why not visualize that vagus nerve of yours being stimulated, and generating comfort? Go ahead, do a search for a vagus nerve image that hits home. And work it!
We’re Done
Hey, I don’t know what you’re dealing with – panic attack symptoms, major depressive disorder, stress, generalized anxiety disorder, etc. It’s our responsibility to do all we can to come up with management techniques – and practice them ’til they become just the way we do things.
I think (self) vagus nerve stimulation is one of those techniques. So learn more about it and give it a go, k?