Our heart rate is controlled by the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system raises our heart rate so we can bump more blood to our muscles and flee from danger, while the “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system slows down our heart rate so we can rest repair and recover. You can use Vibrant Blue Oil, Parasympathetic® for heart health improvement.
The delicate balance between the two states of the ANS is known as homeostasis and balanced by the vagus nerve, which originates in the brain and wraps around our heart and organs of digestion, serving as temperate gauge to control your relaxation response, including your heart rate. The vagus nerve acts as the “reset” button, communicating bi-directional signals to the body and brain that the danger has passed and it is safe to return to the relaxed Parasympathetic state.
Parasympathetic® for Heart Health
The vagus nerve can be stimulated to drop us into the Parasympathetic “rest and digest” state by topically applying the Parasympathetic oil on the vagus nerve (behind the earlobe on the mastoid bone).
In the parasympathetic state, the vagus nerve releases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to the sinoatrial node of the heart signaling it to prolong the time to the next heartbeat, thus slowing the pulse. Several clients have experienced the slowing of successive heartbeats, known as heart rate variability (HRV) and measured a dramatic improvement after using the Parasympathetic® blend.
HRV is often used as both an index of sympathetic to parasympathetic balance of heart rate fluctuation as well as a predictive measure of health and mortality. In fact, HRV data indicates that decreased vagus nerve activity is often associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiac surgery or myocardial infarction along with other health concerns.
How Does Vagus Nerve Stimulation Support Heart Health?
The vagus nerve also plays a key role in reducing systemic inflammation which can contribute to heart problems. The Vagus nerve communicates with the rest of the body by releasing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Stimulating the vagus nerve sends acetylcholine throughout the body, not only making us feel relaxed, but also acting as a brake on inflammation in the body. This may be why supplementing with Acetylcholine can have many of the same effects as vagal stimulation because this is how the vagus nerve stimulates various organs.
Termed ‘the inflammatory reflex’, the vagus nerve senses peripheral inflammation and sends a message to the spleen (which is responsible for a lot of immune system regulation) to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Without the influence of the vagus nerve releasing Acetylcholine, cytokines are produced in much larger quantities in response to stimuli that would have been otherwise harmless in the presence of a functioning neural circuit.
This is great news for heart health, as inflammation accelerates the progression of heart disease, contributing to of atherosclerotic plaque deposits and leading to myocardial and cerebral infarction.
In addition, cardiovascular disease can be triggered by the action of cytokine produced C-reactive protein (CRP). Several studies have shown an inverse relationship between HRV and CRP levels. The ability of the vagus nerve to send signals to the body can be compromised from chronic stress and toxins like heavy metals. For example, issues with dental amalgams and heavy-metal triggered autism may be linked to poor vagus signaling (read more here).
To ensure optimal vagal signaling, apply the Parasympathetic® oil on the vagus nerve (behind the earlobe on the mastoid bone).
To learn more about heart health and how you can empower, heal and follow your heart, sign up TODAY for my good friend, Razi Berry’s powerful FREE online event “The Heart Revolution; How to Heal, Empower and Follow your Heart”. Register HERE.
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