Happy & Healthy with Amy

The Vagus Nerve: Your Brain’s Hidden Ally Against Alzheimer’s

• Amy Lang • Season 1 • Episode 283

Share episode

If you’re juggling menopause, aging parents, and brain fog, this episode is for you. Today we explore how stimulating the vagus nerve — a key player in your nervous system — can lower inflammation, reduce anxiety, and improve your resilience to Alzheimer’s disease. You’ll walk away with actionable ways to feel better and think clearer, right now.

What to Listen For

  • [01:35] What is the vagus nerve — and no, it’s not an anxious gambler 😉
  • [03:12] How this “rest and digest” nerve impacts your gut, heart, and immune system
  • [04:45] Why 80–90% of vagus nerve signals go from the gut to the brain
  • [07:25] What vagal tone means and how it connects to your HRV and stress resilience
  • [08:50] The three phases of Alzheimer’s and how inflammation is the true wildfire
  • [10:15] Amy’s 5 Principles of Brain Optimization and how the vagus nerve supports each one
  • [16:45] Signs you may have poor vagal tone (hello brain fog and poor sleep)
  • [18:20] The real causes of low vagal tone — from poor diet to chronic stress
  • [19:05] Breathing techniques that stimulate the vagus nerve (Amy walks you through them!)
  • [22:00] Cold exposure: The easiest ways to trigger your vagus nerve daily
  • [23:30] Why humming, chanting, and singing boost vagal tone
  • [24:05] Physical techniques like gentle massage and yoga that support the vagus nerve

Your vagus nerve is like a built-in healing mechanism — and when you know how to activate it, you unlock a powerful ally in the fight against stress, inflammation, and cognitive decline. Incorporate these simple practices to strengthen your vagal tone and feel the benefits in your body, mood, and brain.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a brain-health boost! You can also subscribe to the newsletter for more science-backed tips on thriving in midlife.

🔗 Important Links Mentioned


RESOURCES: