Full show notes: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/vaguspodcast/ Your nervous system may be the connection between digestion, inflammation, stress tolerance, and long-term resilience. In this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Dr. Navaz Habib (“The Vagus Nerve Doc”) and JP Errico to explore what the vagus nerve is doing behind the scenes—and why it influences everything from gut motility and immune signaling to stress recovery and long-term resilience. We get into: - Whether the vagus nerve functions as the brain talking to the body, the body talking to the brain—or a continuous two-way feedback loop - How vagal tone influences digestion, nutrient absorption, and gut–brain communication - Why chronic inflammation can disrupt vagus nerve signaling—and whether prolonged stress can effectively “wear it down” over time - How acetyl-CoA and choline support vagus nerve function at the cellular and neurochemical level - Which tools, technologies, and non-invasive devices can meaningfully support vagal tone—and which ones actually hold up under scientific scrutiny Dr. Habib breaks down how vagus nerve dysfunction manifests as stress sensitivity, poor digestion, and an increased inflammatory load—while JP brings a deep neuroimmunology and medical-technology lens to the clinical and therapeutic use of vagus nerve stimulation. If you’ve been focusing on mindset, supplements, or workouts—but still feel stuck in a state of stress, digestive issues, or low resilience—this conversation connects the dots in a way that’s both practical and actionable. 00:00 "Vagus Nerve and Autonomic Function" 06:57 Polyvagal Theory: Dorsal vs Ventral 15:25 Brainstem Interprets Bodily Signals 21:08 "HRV and Vagus Nerve Signal" 24:35 HRV: Balancing Heartbeat Dynamics 30:11 "Run-Walk Strategy for Life" 36:55 "Immune and Nervous Systems Explained" 38:18 "Immune Cells Shape Our Bodies" 45:31 Autonomic Nervous System Controls Aging 52:37 "FDA-Approved Device Enhances Cognition" 55:59 Vagus Nerve Stimulation Methods 01:00:59 Ben Greenfield: Tips & Transparency LIFE Network: https://joinlifenetwork.com Ben Greenfield Life Website: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/ Ben Greenfield Life Podcast: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/podcast/ Ben Greenfield Books: https://shopbengreenfieldlife.com/collections/books Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bengreenfieldfitness/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BGFitness X https://twitter.com/bengreenfield TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@bengreenfield