Vagus nerve devices aren’t as scary as they look.
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| Our take on at-home vagus nerve stimulators |
| The idea of using a device that sends little electrical pulses to your neck is intimidating — and freaky. I definitely thought twice before pressing the on button. |
| So why use one? Some of the more prominent research links vagus nerve stimulation to less stress, improved anxiety, and better sleep. |
| I spoke with Dr. Nancy Hammond, MD who specializes in neurology. She stressed (see what we did there?) that the benefits of these devices are still being studied. “The research that is out there is based on small studies and the studies are not very rigorous, but they show promise,” she said. |
| In addition to sleep and stress, vagus nerve stimulators are also being studied for their role in preventing neurological diseases and managing musculoskeletal conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis pain. |
| Again, research is very early. And there are some people who should avoid them entirely (which we cover more in the full review linked below). |
| We started using two popular devices this Spring and are still using them regularly today. The sensation can be intense (as one Healthliner called it “out of this world”), but as it turns out, the effect is calming and helpful. Read more about our experience. |
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| More stuff you might like |
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From a calm state of mind,
Catherine Conelly
Commerce Editor, Healthline |
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Written by Catherine Conelly
July 25, 2026 |
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Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Now’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health. |
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| Until next time, |
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Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline’s or Optum Now’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health.
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