Stimulating the vagus nerve through techniques like acupuncture can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help calm an over-stressed body. The ancient practice of acupuncture may have stumbled upon nerve patterns that are accessible from the earlobe to activate the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is a long wandering nerve that stems from the brain and is responsible for connecting it to the body's vital organs. It can have a significant impact on mental health, affecting mood, anxiety levels, and depression.
The parasympathetic nervous system is the sister of the sympathetic nervous system, and its main function is to release chemicals that tell the body to relax and release tension in muscles, while restarting blood flow to less important systems in a fight.
Acupuncture works to deactivate pain pathways and activate parallel pathways that can reduce inflammation and muscle tension, leading to a decrease in pain. The precise insertion sites of different needles can potently reduce inflammation and muscle activity, proving that acupuncture does work for relieving pain.
A study found evidence that electroacupuncture stimulate the vagal adrenal reflex and can lead to the release of norepinephrine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine, which are the body's natural anti-inflammatory substances.
Yoga practitioners have a pain tolerance that is double or more than that of non-practitioners, even for those who don't practice hot yoga. This is due to their ability to interpret pain in a different way and their dedication to the practice of yoga.