Vagus Nerve | Huberman Lab | Podcast Summary

Want to support the channel? Become a member to get early access to our videos, watch member-only videos and request summaries of podcasts of your choice!    / @podcastsummaries7672   In this podcast episode, Andrew Huberman explores the vagus nerve, a complex cranial nerve that connects the brain to many body organs and plays diverse roles in mood, alertness, immune function, and learning. He highlights its mixed sensory and motor functions, emphasizing its bidirectional communication between brain and body. Contrary to the common belief that vagus nerve activation only induces calm, Huberman explains it dynamically balances sympathetic and parasympathetic activity to regulate physiological states. The nerve influences heart rate variability, which can be enhanced through breathing techniques like the physiological sigh, and links physical exercise to increased brain alertness via adrenaline signaling. It also supports neuroplasticity by modulating neuromodulators essential for learning. Additionally, the vagus nerve mediates gut-brain communication affecting serotonin levels, underscoring the importance of gut health. Practical methods to engage the vagus nerve include specific breathing exercises, gentle ear rubbing, neck stretches, and humming, each targeting different pathways to promote calm, alertness, or cognitive enhancement. Huberman stresses the nerve’s complexity beyond the “rest and digest” label and encourages regular practice of these accessible techniques to improve overall autonomic regulation and well-being. 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Sensory and Motor Functions of the Vagus Nerve 02:02 The Autonomic Nervous System and the Vagus Nerve’s Role 02:52 Heart Rate Variability and Autoregulation via the Vagus Nerve 03:54 Exercise, the Vagus Nerve, and Brain Alertness 04:52 Neuroplasticity and the Vagus Nerve’s Influence on Learning 05:48 The Gut-Brain Axis: Serotonin and the Vagus Nerve 06:47 Calming the Nervous System Through Vagal Activation 07:35 Humming and Vocalization as Vagal Stimulation 08:23 The Vagus Nerve’s Complexity Beyond “Rest and Digest” 09:14 Practical Tools for Engaging the Vagus Nerve This video is a podcast summary of the Huberman Lab episode titled 'Control Your Vagus Nerve to Improve Mood, Alertness & Neuroplasticity'. Link:    • Control Your Vagus Nerve to Improve Mood, ...   Publish date: Jun 23, 2025 Summary article: https://podmarized.com/episodes/huber... 💌 Daily Podcast Knowledge Delivered Into Your Inbox: https://podcastnuggets.substack.com #hubermanlab #vagusnerve #mood #alertness