Vagus Nerve Massage
Best Vagus Nerve Massage Device
1) Pulsetto - Best Vagus Nerve Massage Device
Pulsetto - Your Peace & Better Sleep Partner
The Science Behind Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Pulsetto is a wearable device that uses vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety. By targeting the vagus nerve with gentle electrical impulses, Pulsetto can help induce a state of calm, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Advantages of Pulsetto:
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Stress Reduction: Experience significant relief from daily stress by activating your vagus nerve and shifting your body into a "rest and digest" state.
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Improved Sleep: Pulsetto supports restful sleep by calming your nervous system, helping you wake up refreshed and energized.
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Enhanced Mental Clarity: By promoting relaxation, Pulsetto aids in sharpening focus and reducing brain fog.
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Boosted Heart Rate Variability (HRV): This device helps improve HRV, an important marker of heart health and resilience to stress.
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Digestive Health Support: Vagus nerve stimulation positively impacts the gut-brain connection, aiding digestion and reducing bloating.
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Chronic Health Support: Pulsetto offers support for individuals managing chronic stress, anxiety, and fatigue, helping to improve their quality of life.
What's Included:
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Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device
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USB-C Charging Cable
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User Manual
How Pulsetto Works:
Using Pulsetto is simple and takes just 4 minutes to start feeling the effects. Here's how it works:
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Apply a generous amount of gel to your neck or directly onto the electrodes.
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Place the device on your neck.
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Pair it with the Pulsetto app on your smartphone.
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Choose your desired program and start the device through the app.
The device creates a gentle, pleasant vibration or tingling sensation in your neck area. This stimulation helps activate your parasympathetic nervous system, leading to a calmer, less stressed state.
Pulsetto Fit: Wellness, Upgraded
Description (Pulsetto Fit):
Key Features of Pulsetto Fit
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Custom Fit: Comes with two removable magnetic paddings for different neck sizes, ensuring a snug, comfortable fit.
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New Pulsating Mode: A rhythmic, wave-like stimulation that syncs with your breath for deeper nervous system relaxation.
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20% Longer Battery Life: Offers about 1.2 weeks of daily use per charge.
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Enhanced Durability: Reinforced materials make it built to last through daily wear.
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Same Great App: Includes the same 5 programs and 30-day Premium trial as Lite, with identical sound library and add-ons.
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What’s Included: Device, two paddings, 60g gel tube, USB-C cable, user guide.
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Safety: FCC-certified, same ULRE tech as Lite. Consult a doctor if you have implantable devices.
Rank |
Device |
Description |
2 |
Apollo Neuro |
The Apollo Neuro is an award-winning wearable device designed by leading neuroscientists and physicians to enhance well-being by helping users stress less, sleep better, and feel more balanced daily. It delivers gentle Apollo Vibes™ that improve sleep and vagus nerve activity. Features include Apollo Vibes™ for gentle vibrations promoting relaxation, SmartVibes™ AI-driven technology to prevent nighttime wake-ups, sleep tracking proven to improve sleep quality, Apollo Sessions for on-demand vibes via iPhone, and HRV boost for increased heart rate variability. Benefits are 40% less stress and anxiety, up to 25% more focus, 10% faster physical recovery, 11% HRV increase, up to 30 minutes more sleep per night, and 19% more deep sleep, delivering meditation benefits effortlessly. It works by using gentle vibrations to stimulate the vagus nerve, regulating stress response and improving HRV to achieve a meditative state. Usage involves wearing the device to track sleep and deliver vibrations throughout the day and night, controlled via iPhone sessions. Technical aspects include AI integration, scientific design with no negative side effects, and endorsement for pediatric and adult use. |
3 |
Truvaga |
The Truvaga vagus nerve stimulator is a handheld device designed to promote personal wellness by balancing the vagus nerve, inducing deep relaxation to help users feel calmer, think clearer, and sleep better. The Truvaga Plus model features a sleek, portable design. Features include unlimited sessions, rechargeability, and app-enabled integration for enhanced experience. Benefits are reported by 94% of users feeling calmer within 30 days, fast vagus nerve stimulation to ease the mind, drug-free therapy, and improved mental clarity and sleep. It works using proprietary technology from clinical studies to gently stimulate the nervous system for relaxation and well-being. Usage allows unlimited sessions anytime, anywhere for stress management. Technical aspects involve collaboration with institutions like Johns Hopkins and Harvard, ensuring scientifically grounded vagus nerve stimulation. |
4 |
Nurosym |
The Nurosym vagus nerve stimulator, developed by Parasym, is a transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) device for neuromodulation to improve health outcomes. It uses bioelectrical signals targeted at neural circuits, offering non-invasive treatment without drugs or surgery, focusing on the vagus nerve for autonomic and physiological benefits. Features emphasize its non-invasive nature as part of Parasym's mission to enhance quality of life through innovative treatments. Benefits include treating diseases without drugs or surgery, improving quality of life via targeted therapy. It works by delivering tVNS to stimulate the vagus nerve through the skin. Usage involves non-invasive application for bioelectrical signal delivery. Technical aspects include its classification as a tVNS device with clinical research backing from partnerships with leading institutions. |
5 |
Sensate |
The Sensate vagus nerve stimulator is a sensory device designed to destress the nervous system using vibrations and sound, offering relaxation in just 10 minutes. It is placed on the chest with a lanyard and pairs with calming soundscapes via the Sensate app. Features include the device with lanyard, app integration for soundscapes, and usage flexibility anytime, anywhere without pills. Benefits are immediate stress relief reducing anxiety, enhanced resilience for better emotional regulation, improved sleep with up to 60 extra minutes per night per pilot study, and health improvements like better digestion and heart health by toning the vagus nerve. It works using infrasonic waves and soundscapes to tone the vagus nerve and regulate the nervous system. Usage involves placing on the chest, turning on for vibrations, and listening to app sounds for 10-30 minutes. Technical aspects include infrasonic wave operation, session durations of 10-30 minutes, and a 48% stress decrease in 28 days per study. |
6 |
gammaCore |
The gammaCore Sapphire TM is a non-invasive, handheld, portable device for treating and preventing headache pain like migraine and cluster headache, the first FDA-cleared for these purposes for ages 12+. Features are non-invasive electrical stimulation, portability, and versatile use for acute and preventive care. Benefits include fast pain relief, reduced headache frequency, safe drug-free option, and applicability to multiple headache types. It works by delivering gentle electrical stimulation through the skin to activate the vagus nerve, blocking pain signals without surgery. Usage is a few 2-minute treatments for acute relief or twice daily for prevention. Technical aspects involve external electrical stimulation for safety and home use. |
7 |
Vagustim |
Vagustim is the world’s first multi-purpose smart technology to activate the vagus nerve, promoting clarity, relaxation, and calm, backed by over 30 clinical trials and used in 40+ countries. Features include non-invasive biosympathetic frequencies, mobile app integration for adjustable intensity and duration, user-friendly setup with Bluetooth, multi-user capability, and adjustable usage starting at 15 minutes daily. Benefits are reduced stress, improved relaxation, better sleep, and balanced gut health per testimonials. It works by gently stimulating the vagus nerve with biosympathetic frequencies to encourage unwinding and harmony. Usage is for anyone seeking calm, with app customization, but consult physician if pregnant or with conditions. Technical aspects include AA battery power, Bluetooth connectivity, and 12-month warranty. |
8 |
ZenBud |
ZenBud is an innovative ultrasound vagus nerve stimulator to achieve relaxation and manage stress and anxiety, developed by NeurGear in bioengineering. Features are ultrasound technology for non-invasive stimulation, headset design, and quick 5-minute sessions. Benefits include stress reduction for calmer state, enhanced mood and well-being, and increased effectiveness in daily life. It works by leveraging ultrasound to target the vagus nerve for regulating heart rate, digestion, and mood. Usage is simple, sitting back for soothing sensations in 5 minutes. Technical aspects involve auricular stimulation through the ear and cutting-edge innovation. |
9 |
Focus VNS |
The Focus VNS vagus nerve stimulator is designed to gently activate the nervous system, reducing stress, improving sleep, and promoting balance, non-invasive with 15 minutes daily use. Features include a starter kit with device, silver auricular clip electrode, conductive paste, USB cable, and manual. Benefits are stress reduction and better sleep for well-being. It works by delivering stimulation through the ear clip electrode to target the vagus nerve. Usage is 15 minutes per session with easy application. Technical aspects include rechargeable battery via USB and silver electrode for conductivity. |
10 |
Amofit S |
The Amofit S is a unique bioelectronic wearable to improve sleep, reduce stress, enhance memory, and restore balance by stimulating the vagus nerve with mild electromagnetic signals using cVES technology. Features are non-contact neuromodulation effective over clothing, compact lightest design wearable as necklace or clip, high safety without side effects, and patents in 23 countries. Benefits include 43% parasympathetic increase and 20% melatonin boost for sleep, 275% parasympathetic for stress, up to 33% alpha waves for concentration, autonomic balance for homeostasis, and support for chronic diseases. It works by transmitting signals to the cardiac vagus nerve to activate parasympathetic system and modulate inflammation. Usage is convenient daily wear, effective quickly for severe symptoms. Technical aspects include clinical validation, bioresonance principle, and HRV improvement. |
11 |
veRelief Prime |
The veRelief Prime is a patented high-dose auricular vagus nerve stimulator for instant calm and Fight-or-Flight recovery in 5 minutes daily, doctor-recommended with 4.7/5 rating. Features include high-dose dry hydrogel tips, five modes (Panic, Focus, Stress, Sleep, Worry) with specific frequencies, and patented gel tips. Benefits are 36% anxiety reduction per validation, 94% relaxation in first responders, and testimonials for reduced panic and better sleep. It works by targeting the vagus nerve below the earlobe with electric pulses to release serotonin and soothe panic. Usage is 5 minutes daily, deployable in 3 seconds by pressing tips to skin. Technical aspects are hydrogel technology, frequencies like 100Hz for panic, and clinical studies. |
12 |
Neuvana Xen |
The Neuvana Xen is a wearable technology to enhance wellness by stimulating the vagus nerve for better stress response, including headphones and app connection for electrical signals. Features are customizable intensity via app, modes like Sync with music, Sensation without sound, Ambient with surroundings, and short 5-minute sessions. Benefits include improved sleep, mood, focus, energy, stress reduction, and resilience. It works by gentle signals through earbuds to rebalance the autonomic nervous system. Usage is wearing headphones, app control, integrable into activities, no prescription needed. Technical aspects are neurotechnology for non-invasive stimulation, app-generated waveforms, and safe sensations. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Vagus Nerve Massage
What is the vagus nerve?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, running from the brainstem through the neck, chest, and abdomen. It plays a key role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps regulate functions like heart rate, digestion, breathing, and immune response. It acts as a communication pathway between the brain and various organs, promoting relaxation and recovery after stress.
What is vagus nerve massage?
Vagus nerve massage refers to non-invasive techniques that involve gently stimulating areas where the vagus nerve branches are accessible, such as the neck, ears, or feet. This form of stimulation aims to activate the nerve to enhance its function, often through manual pressure or rubbing. Unlike surgical or electrical methods, massage is a simple, at-home practice that can be done with hands or basic tools like fingers.
What are the potential benefits of vagus nerve massage?
Regular vagus nerve massage may help reduce stress and promote relaxation by activating the body's "rest and digest" response. It could improve digestion by enhancing gut motility and reducing inflammation. Mood regulation is another potential benefit, as it may alleviate symptoms of anxiety or low mood. Additionally, it might support immune function, lower blood pressure, and contribute to overall well-being by improving heart rate variability.
How can I perform vagus nerve massage at home?
To massage the vagus nerve, focus on gentle, circular motions in targeted areas for 5-10 minutes daily. For the neck: Tilt your head slightly and use your fingers to apply light pressure along the sides of the neck, near the carotid artery, moving downward. For the ears: Gently rub or pull on the earlobes and the inner ear (tragus area). Foot reflexology can also stimulate it: Massage the soles of your feet, especially the area under the big toe. Always start slowly and stop if you feel discomfort.
Are there other ways to stimulate the vagus nerve besides massage?
Yes, non-massage techniques include deep breathing exercises (like 4-7-8 breathing), humming or singing, which vibrate the throat area, and cold exposure, such as splashing cold water on your face. Laughter, yoga, and meditation can also engage the nerve. These methods work by indirectly activating the parasympathetic system.
Is vagus nerve massage safe for everyone?
Vagus nerve massage is generally considered safe for most people when done gently and non-invasively. However, it may cause temporary side effects like dizziness, hoarseness, or changes in heart rate. Avoid applying strong pressure to the neck to prevent affecting blood flow. It's not recommended for those with certain heart conditions, recent neck surgery, or implanted devices without medical advice. Pregnant individuals or those with neurological disorders should consult a healthcare provider first.
What does scientific research say about vagus nerve stimulation, including massage?
Research on vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) shows promise, particularly for implanted VNS in treating epilepsy, depression, stroke recovery, and rheumatoid arthritis, where it's been found effective and well-tolerated. Non-invasive methods like massage have less extensive evidence but studies suggest they can improve vagal tone, reduce stress, and support heart health. For instance, head and neck massages have been linked to activating the relaxation response. More research is needed to confirm long-term benefits and efficacy for all techniques.
When should I consult a healthcare professional about vagus nerve massage?
Consult a doctor before starting if you have pre-existing conditions like heart disease, epilepsy, or mental health disorders. If you experience persistent side effects such as fainting, irregular heartbeat, or worsening symptoms, stop immediately and seek medical advice. Professional guidance is especially important if considering advanced stimulation methods beyond basic massage.