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Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Severe Depression by 70%, Major US Trial Finds
(www.sciencealert.com)
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this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2026
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This is not the first study I have seen linking Vagus nerve stimulation to a dramatic improvement in mental health. That said, the same results can be achieved through regular abdominal exercises. Crunches, sit-ups, etc, all stimulate the vagus nerve. If you activate your abs regularly, you should achieve the same results as this device.
EDIT: Another link between abdominal work and brain function.
https://www.psypost.org/scientists-discover-a-hydraulic-link-between-the-abdomen-and-the-brain/
Singing is known to stimulate the vagus nerve, and also releases a bunch of endorphins and is tied to stress reduction and improved emotional state. I feel like we don’t sing enough in Western culture.
If you tell me you can’t sing, I say cup your hand around your ear to help you hear yourself better and practice! Or just belt joyously out of tune in the shower!
I struggle with depression and have always sang to make myself feel better! That's fascinating that it's related to the vagus nerve, I never knew.
I am also terrible, but who cares! At least I'm no Yoko Ono.
Chuck Berry thanks you.
Make a joyful noise!
If you don't think you can sing, stop giving a shit about what other people think about it.
When you say "in Western culture", do you mean "in my local microcosm of America that I assume is reflective of roughly half the geographical planet"?
Cause fuck, man, take a trip to the Maritimes or something.
Fair enough! I’m not an expert on all things cultural, that’s for sure! I just want people to sing more. :)
I just want you to come to any Canadian bar or pub and belt out "I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold, we'd fire no guns" and it should go a little something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbeXh9FZT_g&t=18s
Oh yeah, nice! an Ausie favourite is "am I ever gonna see your face again..." don't be offended by the response though, it's meant in fondness and comradery. Go sing that in any pub, it would have a fantastic response.
Yeah exercise never helped with my depression, not in around 40 years of living with it.
Have you tried not being depressed and exercising?
Yes. In fact I've spent a lot of time trying and failing.
I’m sorry but I don’t have anymore ideas. Hope you find some relief soon because depression is cruel way to go through life
Oh I'm as good as is possible. 7 medications, something for my DNA mutation, and therapy. I only think about death and not about dying when I go to sleep at night. It's the best.
Same, I've battled chronic depression since 1989 and exercise has had a nominal effect. That said, what the studies seem to suggest is that a lot of core/ab work, as well as vagus muscle work, seem to help. So not just regular excercise.
Prostate stimulation usually causes people to bear down with their abs from how good it feels. So clearly your pulling double duty on depression fixing with that.
Thank you for this, I had no idea!