Exploring the Science of Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Anxiety shows up in the body and the mind: muscle tension, racing thoughts, disrupted sleep. A growing body of peer-reviewed research is examining whether non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation through the outer ear might influence the physiological systems involved. We summarize three recent studies investigating taVNS and anxiety-related outcomes across university students, inpatient psychiatric patients, and community-dwelling adults.

Published Articles

1. Ferreira LMA, Brites R, Fraião G, et al. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation modulates masseter muscle activity, pain perception, and anxiety levels in university students: a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. 2024;18:1422312. doi:10.3389/fnint.2024.1422312

2. Austelle CW, Cox SS, Connolly DJ, et al. Accelerated Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Inpatient Depression and Anxiety: The iWAVE Open Label Pilot Trial. Neuromodulation. 2025;28(4):672-681. doi:10.1016/j.neurom.2025.02.003

3. Jackowska M, Koenig J, Cibulcova V, Jandackova VK. Effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on subthreshold affective symptoms and perceived stress: Findings from a single-blinded randomized trial in community-dwelling adults. Biological Psychology. 2025;202:109169. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2025.109169

Stress is something most people recognize in themselves, and it leaves measurable physiological signatures: changes in autonomic nervous system activity, elevated cortisol, shifts in brain activity. Researchers studying the vagus nerve have begun investigating whether non-invasive stimulation can influence how the body and brain respond. We summarize three recent peer-reviewed studies examining vagus nerve stimulation and stress regulation, including EEG-based and multisession trial designs.

Published Articles

1. dos Reis LD, Generoso LP, Pereira GS, et al. Effects of multisession prefrontal cortex tDCS or taVNS on stress, perceived stress and sleep quality: a double-blind, randomized controlled study. Frontiers in Psychology. 2024;15:1343413. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1343413

2. Kim WJ, Lee YS, Hong KH, Choi H, Song JJ, Hwang HJ. Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on stress regulation: an EEG and questionnaire study. Frontiers in Digital Health. 2025;7:1593614. doi:10.3389/fdgth.2025.1593614

3. Jackowska M, Koenig J, Cibulcova V, Jandackova VK. Effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on subthreshold affective symptoms and perceived stress: Findings from a single-blinded randomized trial in community-dwelling adults. Biological Psychology. 2025;202:109169. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2025.109169

PTSD is a complex condition associated with changes in multiple neurobiological systems, including the autonomic nervous system and inflammatory pathways. Early-phase research has begun investigating whether non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation might influence the systems involved. We summarize two peer-reviewed studies, including the first to measure PTSD symptoms in participants using tAN® (as an exploratory outcome within an opioid withdrawal trial).

Published Articles

1. Tirado CF, Washburn SN, Covalin A, et al. Delivering transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) to improve symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal: results from a prospective clinical trial. Bioelectronic Medicine. 2022;8:12. doi:10.1186/s42234-022-00095-x

2. Bremner JD, Wittbrodt MT, Gurel NZ, et al. Transcutaneous Cervical Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Pilot Study of Effects on PTSD Symptoms and Interleukin-6 Response to Stress. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 2021;6:100190. doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100190