How does the vagus nerve affect your
sexual arousal and pelvic organs?

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Ahh, the vagus nerve.

It's funny how this nerve has basically become its own kind of celebrity. 

I mean, who would have ever thought that a nerve could gain such popularity and trending hashtags?

But it has, and for good reason. 

Not only does the vagus nerve comprise 75% of our parasympathetic nervous systems*, but it's also the longest cranial nerve (meaning the longest nerve that travels from the brain into the body). 

This nerve impacts everything from our breathing to our heart rate to our digestion to our arousal! 

But there are also some risks and concerns we should consider before we go all in on vagal toning, some of which may surprise you. 


Listen to the episode to learn:

• basics on the vagus nerve (anatomy, relationship to organs)
• why vagal response is not always a good thing
• simple ways to enhance your vagal tone
• which pelvic organs the vagus nerve innervates
• why heart rate variability is important to track
• how the vagus nerve relates to sexual function and arousal
• why you want both sympathetic + parasympathetic activity for sex
• specific ways to enhance your pleasure using vagal toning

* I say 80% in the episode, but it's really 75%!

Resources:

• FREE guide: Track Your Cycle naturally
• Episode 17: How stress messes with your hormones
• Episode 19: The importance of softening with Chaya Leia Aronson
• Episode 39: Jade eggs and the practice of pleasure with Usha Rose
• Episode 52: Beyond aphrodisiacs: Herbal approaches to enhance pleasure
• Podcast episode: Stephen Porges on Polyvagal Theory here
• Book: How to Activate Your Vagus Nerve by Dr Navaz Habib
• Book: The Pocket Guide to Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe by Stephen Porges
  
   

References:

Bou Khalil, R. (2012). P-1456 - Neurobiologic correlates between sexual activity and women’s mood. European Psychiatry, 27, 1. doi:10.1016/s0924-9338(12)75623-7 

Clyde, L, Lechuga, T, Ebner, C, Burnsm A, Kirby, M, & Yellon, S. (2011). Transection of the pelvic or vagus nerve forestalls ripening of the cervix and delays birth in rats. Biol Reprod., 84(3): 587-94. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.086207

Ding, J, Wang, L, Wang, C, Gao, C, Wang, F, & Sun T. (2021). Is vagal-nerve stimulation safe during pregnancy? A mini review. Epilepsy Res, 174, 106671. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106671

​​Goldstein, I., & Komisaruk, B. R. (2020). Is evidence based on what we know or do not know? Secrets of the cervix. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 8(1), 1–2. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.11.001 

Komisaruk, B, Whipple B, Crawford A, Liu W, Kalnin A, & Mosier K. (2004). Brain activation during vaginocervical self-stimulation and orgasm in women with complete spinal cord injury: fMRI evidence of mediation by the vagus nerves. Brain Res. 1024(1-2): 77-88. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2004.07.029

Sharabi, AF, & Lui, F. (2022). Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Splanchnic Nerves. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.

Stanton, A, Pulverman, C, & Meston, C. (2017). Vagal activity during physiological sexual arousal in women with and without sexual dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther, 43(1): 78-89. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2015.1115793. 

Tatschl, J, & Schwerdtfeger, AR. (2022). Squeeze the beat: Enhancing cardiac vagal activity during resonance breathing via coherent pelvic floor recruitment. Psychophysiology, 59(12): e14129. doi: 10.1111/psyp.14129

Zhu S, Qing Y, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Ding F, Zhang R, Yao S, Kendrick KM, & Zhao W. (2022). Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation increases eye-gaze on salient facial features and oxytocin release. Psychophysiology, 59(11): e14107. doi: 10.1111/psyp.14107.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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Learn to track your cycle and listen to your own body wisdom - Track Your Cycle Simply in 3 Easy Steps Guide (click here)  

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