What does the vagus nerve actually do—and why does it matter for gut health, IBS, and anxiety?

In this episode, we break down the vagus nerve in a clear, practical way, focusing on how it connects the gut and brain and why low vagal tone is linked to conditions like IBS, IBD, anxiety, depression, and chronic inflammation.

We also explore why common advice like humming, gargling, or cold exposure which often isn’t enough on its own, and what actually makes a meaningful difference clinically.

You’ll learn how the vagus nerve regulates digestion, stress response, inflammation, and gut motility, and how disruptions in this system can create a cycle of persistent symptoms.

In this episode, we discuss:

- What the vagus nerve is and how it connects the gut and brain

- Why low vagal tone is linked to IBS, anxiety, and inflammation

- How stress and the microbiome impact vagus nerve function

- Why gut symptoms and mental health symptoms often overlap

- Evidence-based ways to support vagal tone (breathing, cold exposure, exercise, social connection, and more)

- When vagus nerve stimulators and clinical tools may be helpful

This episode is for anyone dealing with IBS, chronic gut symptoms, anxiety, or feeling “stuck” despite trying multiple approaches to gut health.

👋 Connect with the Turds!

Rebecca Sand ND, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drrebeccasand.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrebeccasand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ilana Gurevich ND, FABNG, LAc, MSOM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.openwellnesspdx.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@openwellness_pdx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ilana.gurevich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ami Kapadia, MD, ABFM, ABIHM

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amikapadia.com