Stimulating a single nerve could treat depression and fight inflammation. Is it too good to be true?
Implants that stimulate the body's longest cranial nerve are already treating epilepsy, depression and rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists are now testing whether they can also combat cancer-related wasting, obesity and PTSD. Meanwhile, can an ice bath or an ear massage do the trick?
In the 1950s, a young Kevin Tracey witnessed his mother's death from brain cancer while on a car ride with his two younger brothers. This tragic event inspired Tracey to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon, which eventually led him to research the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the human body, extending from the brainstem to the abdominal cavity and playing a crucial role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which regulates rest and digestion.
Scientists are now exploring the nerve's potential to treat various conditions, including depression, inflammation, cancer-related wasting, obesity, and PTSD. The nerve's communication channels, with 80% of fibers carrying information from the body to the brain, suggest that it may act as a "calming button" in the body, helping to regulate mood and overall well-being.
While there is evidence supporting certain vagus nerve stimulation treatments, such as implantable devices, many claims about the nerve's abilities remain unproven.
Written by urgent.news from Haaretz's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
