Human genome decoding? Yes, we all know it and we’ve seen the impact it has on therapeutics. Microbiome decoding? We’re just learning about it now and finding out how powerful it is for controlling our mood and immunity and how nutrition and fitness can influence it. I can talk about gut health for days (creepy). But, how about human neuron decoding? I first heard about it on Tim Ferriss’ (wait, how many ‘S’ am I supposed to put here?) podcast in an interview with Dr. Martine Rothblatt. Mind-boggling stuff…
Things get heated when you think about the Vagus nerve (I know, odd name, I’ll call her Ms V), the main component of our nervous system related to control of mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate, or as some scientists put it, the link between the brain and the gut. There is some evidence that Ms V stimulation is a promising add-on treatment for issues with the functions it controls. Apparently, we can easily ‘access’ and stimulate Ms V on the sensitive skin behind our ears (I know what you’re thinking, naughty minds). So, one future application might be simple devices that emit specific electric pulses on targeted areas (earlobe) on the body to treat matching ailments (mood swings); but much further research is needed, don’t be fooled by what’s available now in the market.
I won’t bother you with scientific jargon, to be honest, I don’t get it either. The way I understand it is as such: like genes, if we map all neurons, their signals, synapses and interconnections we’ll start seeing how they correlate and impact the health of different parts of our bodies. If we know this, then, we might be more effective and targeted with nerve stimulation techniques, like acupuncture for example. Acupuncture is good, but we can make it better. The only problem is that there are some 86 billion neurons in our brain according to most recent studies, about the same amount as the wealth of our beloved Facebook CEO Mr Zuckerberg (conspiracy theorists, run wild now), so, good luck decoding it.
Back on earth in the meantime, all you need to know is this: there is substantial evidence that you can stimulate Ms V’s activity and affect good mood, immunity and digestion with good gut bacteria, as well as good breathing techniques. So, for now, your main tools are gut-friendly food, meditation with mindful breathing and yoga with specific exercises (come back and read another blog posts for these).
Next time your girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife/partner/one-night-stand looks at you wide-eyed not understanding why the hell you wake up at 5.30am to your meditation, just tell them: I am working on my Vagus nerve!
Rabbit hole notes:
Macro-Wellness 