“Vagus nerve health is a gateway to understanding inflammation,” explains Kevin Tracey, M.D. 

Kevin Tracey, M.D., neurosurgeon, scientist, and entrepreneur, explains everything you need to know about the vagus nerve, including: 

- What is the vagus nerve (~1:15)

- Assessing vagus nerve health (~3:50)

- The relationship with heart rate (~4:55)

- Vagus nerve & inflammation (~10:30)

- The power of electricity (~16:30)

- Improving vagal nerve tone (~21:40)

- Vagus nerve implant (~24:00)

-  Ear-brain-body connection (~30:15)

- Cold plunges (~39:50)

- The future of vagus nerve therapy (~45:15)

Referenced in the episode: 

- Learn more about Tracey (https://feinstein.northwell.edu/institutes-researchers/our-researchers/kevin-j-tracey-md) 

- Pick up his book (The Great Nerve) 

- Check out his research (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Tracey%20K%5BAuthor%5D) 

- Research on rheumatoid arthritis (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04539964) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32873554/) 

- Research on pediatric Crohn's disease (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37849000/) 

- Research on lower resting heart rate & longevity (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3591616/) 

- Research on the vagal nerve implant (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27382171/) 

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