Is this a miracle cure for your condition- Dr Ahmed

Dear Friend,

I hope you are well and having an enjoyable easter weekend. Firstly apologies massively for the late email today. I have had an eventful week meeting with many chronic disease specialists to try and launch the chronic disease/fibromyalgia platform. The next few emails will be on non medical ways that have been proven to help with chronic disease and fibromyalgia, this weeks topic is vagal nerve stimulation.

Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) can be a powerful tool in managing chronic diseases due to the vagus nerve’s broad role in regulating inflammation, autonomic balance, and communication between the brain and body. Here's how it helps:

🔄 1. Reduces Inflammation

The vagus nerve is part of the "inflammatory reflex", which helps the body control immune responses.

• VNS can lower pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-6, and others.

• This is especially beneficial for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)

🧠 2. Supports Mental Health and Neurological Conditions

Chronic diseases are often worsened by comorbid depression or anxiety.

• VNS has FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression and epilepsy.

• It can improve mood, cognition, and seizure control through modulation of brain regions like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.

❤️ 3. Balances the Autonomic Nervous System

Many chronic conditions involve sympathetic overdrive (fight or flight mode), which worsens disease processes.

• VNS enhances parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity.

• Helpful in:

  • Heart failure (improves HR variability)

  • Hypertension

  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

🫁 4. Improves Respiratory and GI Function

The vagus nerve plays a role in gut motility, gastric secretions, and bronchial tone.

• VNS can help with:

  • Gastroparesis and IBS

  • Asthma and COPD (by reducing airway reactivity)

🧬 5. Potential Metabolic Benefits

Some early studies suggest VNS might improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

• Could aid in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity (experimental stage for now)

🧘‍♀️ Non-Invasive Options

There are non-invasive VNS (nVNS) devices now that stimulate the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (in the ear) or the cervical vagus externally.

• Less risky than implanted devices

• Often used for headaches, migraines, and mild mood disorders

✅ Potential Benefits of VNS for Fibromyalgia

🧠 1. Pain Modulation

• VNS activates areas of the brain involved in descending pain inhibition (like the periaqueductal gray and locus coeruleus).

• It may help reduce central sensitization, a key mechanism in fibromyalgia where the brain becomes overly sensitive to pain.

🛌 2. Improved Sleep and Fatigue

• VNS can enhance parasympathetic tone, potentially improving sleep quality and restorative sleep, which are often poor in fibromyalgia patients.

🧘 3. Autonomic Nervous System Balance

• Many people with fibromyalgia have sympathetic overactivity and reduced vagal tone.

• VNS can help re-balance autonomic function, easing symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and IBS-type issues.

🧬 4. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

• Though fibromyalgia isn't classically inflammatory, neuroinflammation is likely involved.

• VNS may help reduce low-grade inflammation that contributes to symptom severity.

📊 What the Research Says

• Small pilot studies using non-invasive VNS (nVNS) in fibromyalgia have shown improvements in:

  • Pain levels

  • Fatigue

  • Heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of vagal tone

• Ongoing trials are testing both implanted and non-invasive options, but results are still preliminary.

🧴 Practical Options

For fibromyalgia, non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is the most realistic and accessible route right now:

• Ear-based (auricular VNS): Stimulates the vagus nerve via the tragus or cymba conchae.

• Neck-based devices : Apply external stimulation to the cervical vagus nerve.

These are generally safe, with minimal side effects like tingling or mild discomfort.

⚠️ Caveats

• VNS is not yet FDA-approved specifically for fibromyalgia, so use would be off-label.

• Response varies—some patients feel clear benefit, others less so.

• Best results may come when combined with other treatments like exercise, CBT, or low-dose medications.

Some of the vagal nerve stimulative devices are very expensive, my advice is do your own research, make sure you go for devices that offer a money back guarantee, therefore if no benefit you can always give it back. (I am trying to work with a company to give discounts to my you, stay tuned for updates on this) In my experience these devices have generally helped massively with sleep, and relaxation. I advise my patients to try it for a few weeks, if no benefit give it back, if it does work then it is a great adjunct to help manage symptoms. Like always this is not specific medical advice.

If you would like to see any of my previous posts see them here:

As always if any questions please let me know.

Thank you

Dr Ahmed