30. The Vagus Nerve Connection: How It Shapes Your Gut, Brain, and Immune Health with Dr. Navaz Habib

Take Back Your Health

Ever wondered why the gut is referred to as your second brain? Let’s talk about it. This week, I’m joined by Dr. Navaz Habib, the bestselling author of Activate Your Vagus Nerve, and the newly released Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve. We sat down to discuss the importance of the vagus nerve—the only cranial nerve that connects to every organ within your body—the role it plays in your gut, brain, and immune health, the significance of heart rate variability, and why you should be more intentional with your breathing.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What the Vagus Nerve Does: Learn more about how the vagus nerve relays status information about your organ functions to the brain.
• The Four Areas of Stressors: Working in harmony with the immune system, the vagus nerve can influence inflammation. Triggers include daily, psychological, physical, and biochemical stressors, says Dr. Habib.
• How Heart Rate Variability Informs the Vagus Nerve Function: Dr. Habib shares that when your HRV is in a good zone (this varies by individual), your body is better able to send signals to the brain through the vagus nerve.
• Why Breathing Properly Is Key: Improve your sympathetic-parasympathetic balance—resulting in an increased HRV—by breathing through your nose, not your mouth.

01:59 Dr. Habib's Journey to Functional Medicine

08:17 Understanding the Vagus Nerve

18:46 The Role of the Vagus Nerve in Inflammation

34:04 Understanding HRV and Its Importance

34:39 Accuracy of Different HRV Measurement Devices

36:34 Using HRV Data for Trends, Not Diagnostics

37:07 Personal Experiences and HRV Improvement

40:15 Breathing Techniques to Improve HRV

42:35 The Role of the Diaphragm in Effective Breathing

46:47 Testing and Improving Your BOLT Score

50:27 Altitude Training and HRV

54:38 Vagus Nerve Dysfunction and Long COVID

57:21 Vagus Nerve Stimulation Devices

Connect with Dr. Myers:

Website: https://www.amymyersmd.com/

Newsletter: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ec/guide-to-leaky-gut

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMyersMD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymyersmd/

Connect with Dr. Habib:

Website: https://drnavazhabib.kartra.com/page/HUhome

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib

Podcast: The Health Upgrade podcast

Book: Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve

Book: Activate Your Vagus Nerve

The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown

Truvaga Vagus Nerve Stimulator.