Vagus Nerve Stimulator
Best Vagus Nerve Stimulator
1) Pulsetto - Best Vagus Nerve Stimulator
Pulsetto - Your Peace & Better Sleep Partner
The Science Behind Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Pulsetto is a wearable device that uses vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety. By targeting the vagus nerve with gentle electrical impulses, Pulsetto can help induce a state of calm, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Advantages of Pulsetto:
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Stress Reduction: Experience significant relief from daily stress by activating your vagus nerve and shifting your body into a "rest and digest" state.
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Improved Sleep: Pulsetto supports restful sleep by calming your nervous system, helping you wake up refreshed and energized.
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Enhanced Mental Clarity: By promoting relaxation, Pulsetto aids in sharpening focus and reducing brain fog.
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Boosted Heart Rate Variability (HRV): This device helps improve HRV, an important marker of heart health and resilience to stress.
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Digestive Health Support: Vagus nerve stimulation positively impacts the gut-brain connection, aiding digestion and reducing bloating.
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Chronic Health Support: Pulsetto offers support for individuals managing chronic stress, anxiety, and fatigue, helping to improve their quality of life.
What's Included:
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Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device
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USB-C Charging Cable
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User Manual
How Pulsetto Works:
Using Pulsetto is simple and takes just 4 minutes to start feeling the effects. Here's how it works:
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Apply a generous amount of gel to your neck or directly onto the electrodes.
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Place the device on your neck.
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Pair it with the Pulsetto app on your smartphone.
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Choose your desired program and start the device through the app.
The device creates a gentle, pleasant vibration or tingling sensation in your neck area. This stimulation helps activate your parasympathetic nervous system, leading to a calmer, less stressed state.
Pulsetto Fit: Wellness, Upgraded
Description (Pulsetto Fit):
Key Features of Pulsetto Fit
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Custom Fit: Comes with two removable magnetic paddings for different neck sizes, ensuring a snug, comfortable fit.
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New Pulsating Mode: A rhythmic, wave-like stimulation that syncs with your breath for deeper nervous system relaxation.
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20% Longer Battery Life: Offers about 1.2 weeks of daily use per charge.
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Enhanced Durability: Reinforced materials make it built to last through daily wear.
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Same Great App: Includes the same 5 programs and 30-day Premium trial as Lite, with identical sound library and add-ons.
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What’s Included: Device, two paddings, 60g gel tube, USB-C cable, user guide.
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Safety: FCC-certified, same ULRE tech as Lite. Consult a doctor if you have implantable devices.
Rank |
Product Name |
Description |
2 |
Nurosym |
Nurosym is a scientifically validated, wearable neurotech device that rewires the brain using targeted electrical impulses via the Vagus Nerve, offering neuromodulation for lasting calm, consistent energy, and peak biological performance. It is developed by expert neurologists and leading researchers to repair the nervous system and is backed by over 60 internationally recognized institutions, with more than 4 million happy user sessions and no serious adverse events reported in studies to date. Nurosym uses bioelectronic medicine to stimulate the vagus nerve, targeting the autonomic nervous system to promote a parasympathetic, or "chill," state. It helps downregulate the stress response, reset autonomic function, reduce inflammation, and improve vagal tone. Clinical studies show it increases vagal tone, inhibits cytokine production in the inflammatory process, alters Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters favorably, and supports prolonged relief from fatigue-related symptoms even after therapy discontinuation. Features include a certified and patented wearable device, having undergone multiple randomized placebo-controlled studies; supports health and longevity by reducing inflammatory markers, aiding recovery from sports/injury, and enhancing neuroplasticity; backed by ongoing scientific research, with over 50 studies currently in progress. Benefits include calming down the mind by managing stress and restoring balance within minutes, with reported improvements like 35% reduction in anxious states, 28% reduction in oxidative stress, and 45% improvement in mood score; getting back active energy by reducing fatigue, dizziness, and pain, with 48% improvement in fatigue, 40% improvement in postural heart rate abnormalities, and 50% improvement in macrocirculation; reaching peak performance by supporting cardiovascular health, enhancing recovery, and sustaining long-term resilience, with 18% increase in HRV, 78% improvement in inflammation, and 19% improvement in sleep. Usage involves placing a small electrode, typically in the ear, to stimulate the autonomic nervous system. It is suitable for various conditions, including post-viral fatigue, autoimmune relief, sleep issues, anxious thoughts, depressive states, gastrointestinal symptoms, and more, as evidenced by user stories. It is recommended for daily use, with users reporting benefits like better sleep, reduced inflammation, and increased focus. |
3 |
Truvaga Plus |
The Truvaga Plus vagus nerve stimulator is a handheld device designed as a personal wellness companion to enhance stress relief. It works by utilizing proprietary technology that gently stimulates the vagus nerve, creating a deep, natural relaxation response to help users feel calmer, think clearer, and sleep better. This technology is the result of extensive clinical studies and rigorous testing, offering fast vagus nerve stimulation through a clinically-studied, drug-free therapy approach. Features include unlimited sessions, a rechargeable battery, and app-enabled functionality, making it a convenient and portable solution for daily use. The device is backed by collaborations with top educational institutions and organizations such as Johns Hopkins University, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Emory University, ensuring a scientifically grounded approach to self-care. Benefits include helping users balance their nervous system, leading to improved calmness and happiness, with 94% of users reporting feeling calmer and happier in just 30 days. The device is designed to quickly put the mind at ease, supporting a healthier lifestyle through its easy and convenient usage. |
4 |
Apollo Neuro |
The Apollo Neuro vagus nerve stimulator is a wearable device designed by leading neuroscientists and physicians to enhance well-being by helping users stress less, sleep better, and feel more balanced. It delivers gentle Apollo Vibes™ that improve sleep and vagus nerve activity, offering benefits such as 40% less stress and feelings of anxiety, up to 25% more focus and concentration, 10% faster physical recovery, an 11% increase in HRV (Heart Rate Variability), up to 30 minutes more sleep a night, and 19% more deep sleep. The device works by leveraging the natural response to touch to deliver the benefits of meditation, bringing users into the present moment effortlessly. It is the first sleep tracker scientifically proven to improve sleep and includes SmartVibes™, an AI technology designed by sleep and AI experts to prevent nighttime wake-ups by automatically rocking users back to sleep. Apollo is also the first technology proven to boost heart rate variability (HRV), enhancing resilience to stress. Features include Apollo Sessions, which allow users to upgrade their iPhone to deliver science-backed Apollo Vibes for feeling good anytime, anywhere. The wearable is doctor-recommended and supported by testimonials from medical professionals and users, highlighting its effectiveness in improving sleep, focus, stress reduction, and physical recovery without negative side effects. Usage involves wearing the device to track sleep and deliver vibrations that modulate heart rate variability, promoting a meditative state, calmness, and relaxation. It is suitable for both pediatric and adult patients, as noted by a licensed clinical psychologist, and is used during waking hours for stress reduction and focus, as well as at night for restful sleep. User testimonials indicate it helps with various applications, such as aiding recovery post-surgery, managing stress during busy schedules, and improving sleep quality without the need for sleep aids. |
5 |
Sensate |
Sensate is a sensory device designed to destress the nervous system using vibrations and sound, providing stress relief in just 10 minutes. It works by emitting soft vibrations that soothe the nervous system when placed on the chest using the provided lanyard, and is used in conjunction with the Sensate app, which offers calming, relaxing music soundscapes for an immersive experience. The device tones the vagus nerve, which affects how the body reacts to stress, potentially improving digestion, heart health, and breathing rate over time. Features include immediate stress relief in just 10 minutes, helping reduce symptoms of anxiety; builds resilience by strengthening the nervous system and improving emotional regulation; promotes better sleep by calming racing thoughts before bed and supporting deeper, more restful sleep, allowing users to wake up feeling energized; easy to use anytime, anywhere, without the need for pills or causing hangovers; includes access to the Sensate app with free soundscapes, and optional Sensate Plus subscription for access to all soundscapes for a fully immersive experience; comes with a lanyard for easy wearing and is available in single or dual packs, with options for 1-year Sensate Plus subscriptions. Benefits encompass quick relaxation on demand, helping users find calm whenever stressed; enhances the ability to handle stress and difficult situations, aiding in faster recovery; supports improved sleep quality, with a pilot study reporting an average increase of 60 extra minutes of sleep per night and a 48% decrease in stress levels within the first 28 days of regular use. Usage involves placing the Sensate device on the chest using the provided lanyard, turning on the device to emit soft vibrations that soothe the nervous system, and listening to calming sounds through the Sensate app to enhance relaxation. Use the device for 10-30 minutes, connecting to the app for soundscapes to regulate the nervous system. It is suitable for use anywhere, anytime, providing flexibility for daily stress management. |
6 |
gammaCore |
gammaCore Sapphire TM is the first and only FDA cleared non-invasive device designed to treat and prevent multiple types of headache pain, including migraine, cluster headache, hemicrania continua (HC), and paroxysmal hemicrania (PH), via the vagus nerve. It is small, handheld, and portable, allowing for quick and easy treatments whenever and wherever needed. gammaCore non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS) activates the vagus nerve with gentle electrical stimulation through the skin, without the need for surgery. The vagus nerve is described as the “superhighway” of the nervous system, sending communications between the brain and many parts of the body. Stimulating the vagus nerve blocks pain signals causing headache attacks, helping to provide fast relief and prevent future attacks, unlike traditional vagus nerve stimulation methods. Features include being clinically proven to treat and prevent migraines in users ages 12 and up, reducing migraine days without additional drugs; the only clinically proven device for treating and preventing cluster headache attacks, offering fast, reliable relief; the first and only device for hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania treatment, proven to reduce pain severity or headache frequency; can be used as often as needed, is non-invasive, and does not come with the side effects of other treatments. Benefits comprise providing fast-acting, long-lasting pain relief with a few 2-minute treatments for acute use; helps prevent future headache pain with twice-daily treatments (morning and night), leading to more headache-free days and less disruption to daily life. Usage: For acute treatment, use right away with a few 2-minute treatments to see fast-acting, long-lasting pain relief. For prevention, treat 2 times a day (morning and night) to reduce the frequency of headache attacks. |
7 |
Xen by Neuvana |
The Xen vagus nerve stimulator is designed to help users experience a zen-like state and unlock the power of a restored nervous system, promoting a blissful sense of calm and enhanced sleep quality. It works by utilizing specially-designed headphones that activate the vagus nerve, priming the brain for deeply restorative sleep. The device fits seamlessly into daily routines, helping users stay present and relaxed while pursuing their goals, and is particularly effective for stress relief, countering the effects of intense stress on decision-making. Features include its compact design, which delivers massive results, and its integration with the Neuvana app. Users can connect the stimulation to their go-to music, favorite podcast, or enjoy some well-deserved quiet time, making wellness easily accessible. The device is backed by research, as indicated by affiliations with AFFRL, ASU, DARPA, and the University of Maryland. Benefits include strengthening the body's natural relaxation response, reinstating equilibrium to the mind and body, and transforming sleep into a deeply restorative experience. It helps users move from burnout to balance and from chaos to calm, enhancing overall well-being. Usage details involve incorporating Xen into a daily routine, where users can fire up the Neuvana app and connect the stimulation to various audio sources or quiet time, tailored to individual preferences for effective stress relief and relaxation. |
8 |
Dolphin Neurostim |
The Dolphin Neurostim is the world’s first device specifically designed to reduce sympathetic stress for the reduction of soft tissue pain. It applies brief, concentrated DC micro-impulses to key neurological points, known as Microcurrent Point Stimulation (MPS) Therapy, to reduce nervous system stress, relax muscles, and relieve pain. This natural but potent form of pain relief is used in over 60,000 hospitals and pain clinics worldwide. The Dolphin Neurostim uses MPS Therapy, which involves applying microcurrent impulses to specific neurological points to decrease stress on the nervous system, thereby relaxing muscles and alleviating pain. It is clinically proven to provide better pain relief outcomes compared to TENS, massage therapy, and acupuncture alone. Features: Designed for reducing sympathetic stress and soft tissue pain; utilizes DC micro-impulses for targeted neurological stimulation; applicable in various therapies, including MPS Pain Management, Scar Release Therapy, and Vagus Nerve Therapy. Benefits: Reduces cortisol levels by 68%; Increases vagal tone by 56%; Provides 82% pain relief; Improves heart rate variability by 61%; Offers natural and potent pain relief, enhancing outcomes in pain management, scar therapy, and vagus nerve stimulation. Usage Details: The device is used by professionals trained in MPS Therapy and is incorporated into practices such as massage therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy. It is effective for conditions like chronic pain, scar tissue release (e.g., post-surgical scars), and vagus nerve stimulation for stress relief. Users, including practitioners and clients, report significant improvements in pain relief, mobility, and stress reduction, with applications ranging from personal use to clinical settings. It is also noted for its portability, making it suitable for use during travel. |
9 |
Vagustim |
Vagustim is the world’s first multi-purpose and smart technology designed to help activate the vagus nerve to promote clarity, relaxation, and a sense of calm, aiding in centering and destressing the mind and body. Backed by over 30 clinical trials, Vagustim is user-friendly and fully adjustable to individual needs via a mobile app, providing a personalized care wellness solution. Vagustim uses biosympathetic frequencies to activate the vagus nerve. By pairing with the mobile app, users can easily control the intensity and duration for an optimized experience, promoting relaxation and overall wellness. The vagus nerve is part of the body’s most powerful pathway for restoring calm, supporting digestion, and promoting overall wellbeing, often referred to as the “rest and digest” system, helping regulate key functions. By gently stimulating the vagus, it encourages the body’s natural ability to unwind, reset, and restore harmony from within. Features: User-friendly design with full adjustability via a mobile app; offers both free and premium versions of the mobile app; the free version provides access to essential features, while the premium version includes advanced features for an enhanced experience, though not required for device use; suitable for multiple users, with each able to set up an individual account in the app to track personalized progress; quick and simple setup: download the Vagustim app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, insert AA batteries, pair the device with a smartphone via Bluetooth, attach the earsets, adjust settings in the app, and begin the wellness journey. Benefits: Vagustim helps promote clarity, relaxation, and a sense of calm, supporting overall wellbeing. User testimonials highlight benefits such as reduced stress, improved relaxation, better sleep, and support for gut health, with users feeling more grounded, settled, and in tune with their bodies. Usage: For beginners, a recommended usage of 15 minutes per day is advised during the first week. After every 7 sessions, the duration can be increased by 15 minutes, up to a maximum of 60 minutes per day, with each session not exceeding 30 minutes to ensure optimal results. It is suitable for anyone seeking to promote clarity, relaxation, and calm, though consulting a physician is recommended if pregnant or having any chronic health condition before use. |
10 |
Parasym |
Parasym is a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation device with a solid scientific foundation, being the most studied on the market with over 30 peer-reviewed studies. It utilizes transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) technology to target the auricular branch of the vagus nerve through the ear, providing an inexpensive, low-risk, easy-to-administer, and portable option to modulate the vagus system. The device is designed to promote overall health by reducing inflammation, improving mood, and enhancing sleep quality through its neuromodulation effects. Features include a focus on clinical applications for conditions like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, with ongoing research supporting its efficacy. Benefits encompass significant improvements in heart rate variability, reduction in inflammatory markers, and support for mental health, making it a versatile tool for wellness and therapeutic use. Usage involves clipping the device to the ear for daily sessions, typically lasting 15-30 minutes, to achieve optimal vagus nerve activation and associated health benefits. |
What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)?
Vagus Nerve Stimulation is a medical therapy that involves implanting a small device to deliver chronic, intermittent electrical stimulation to the left vagus nerve in the neck. The device, similar to a pacemaker, is placed under the skin in the upper chest and connected via a lead wire to the vagus nerve. This stimulation sends mild electrical pulses through the nerve to areas of the brain, helping to regulate irregular brain activity.
How does Vagus Nerve Stimulation work?
The implanted device is programmed to send regular, mild electrical impulses to the vagus nerve at set intervals (for example, 30 seconds on and five minutes off, around the clock). These impulses travel up the nerve to the brain, where they can help calm abnormal electrical activity associated with seizures or mood disorders. The exact mechanism for reducing seizures or improving depression is not fully understood, but it modulates neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine and influences brain regions involved in mood and seizure control. A handheld magnet can also be used to trigger extra stimulation during a seizure or aura.
What conditions is VNS used to treat?
VNS is primarily used for drug-resistant epilepsy, where seizures are not well-controlled by medications, and for treatment-resistant depression in adults experiencing chronic or recurrent major depressive episodes that have not responded to four or more antidepressant treatments. It may also improve overall quality of life, mood, alertness, and memory in some cases, though it is not approved for other conditions like heart failure or movement disorders.
Who is a good candidate for VNS?
For epilepsy, candidates are typically adolescents or adults (and sometimes children) with medically refractory partial or generalized seizures that do not respond to multiple anti-seizure medications and who are not suitable for or do not want brain surgery. For depression, it is for adults 18 years or older with chronic depression unresponsive to adequate antidepressant therapies. Contraindications include prior left or bilateral vagus nerve surgery, and caution is advised for those with uncontrolled respiratory or cardiac conditions. A referral from a neurologist, epileptologist, or psychiatrist is usually required for evaluation.
How is the VNS device implanted?
The implantation is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, lasting about 1-2 hours. Two small incisions are made: one in the neck to attach a spiral electrode around the left vagus nerve and another in the upper chest to place the pulse generator (about the size of a small pocket watch). No brain surgery is involved, and patients often go home the same day. The device is activated and programmed a few weeks later by a healthcare provider.
What are the benefits of VNS?
VNS can reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of seizures in epilepsy, potentially shortening recovery time after seizures and allowing some reduction in medications over time. For depression, it may help alleviate symptoms by modulating brain activity and neurotransmitters. Overall benefits include improved mood, alertness, memory, and quality of life for many users, though results vary and may take up to a year to become noticeable. It is not a cure but serves as an adjunct therapy.
What are the potential side effects or risks of VNS?
Common side effects, which often occur during stimulation and may lessen over time, include hoarseness or changes in voice, coughing, throat discomfort or pain, shortness of breath, and a tingling sensation in the neck. Rare risks from surgery include infection at the implant site (1-2%, treatable with antibiotics or aspiration), temporary vocal cord paralysis or facial weakness (about 1%, usually resolving in weeks), and fluid buildup. Serious complications are uncommon, and the therapy does not interact with medications.
How is the VNS device programmed and adjusted?
After implantation, a healthcare provider uses an external system to program the device, setting the stimulation intensity, frequency, and duration. Adjustments are made gradually over follow-up visits to optimize effectiveness and minimize side effects. Some advanced models can detect heart rate changes during seizures and auto-stimulate.
Can a magnet be used with VNS?
Yes, a special magnet can be swiped over the device to deliver an extra burst of stimulation during a seizure warning (aura) or to temporarily pause stimulation if side effects are bothersome. It can be worn on a wristband, belt, or attached to a wheelchair, and caregivers can use it for those without warnings. This may help stop or shorten seizures or aid recovery.
How long does the VNS battery last, and how is it replaced?
The battery typically lasts about five years, depending on usage. Replacement involves a shorter outpatient surgery (around 45 minutes) under local or general anesthesia to swap the generator, leaving the lead in place.
Can I have an MRI or other imaging scans with VNS?
VNS devices are often MRI-conditional, meaning MRI scans can be performed safely with specific precautions (e.g., using compatible head coils and informing the radiology team). X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds are generally unaffected. Brain MRIs may be possible with safety measures, but body coils should be avoided.
How does VNS affect daily life and activities?
Most people live normally with VNS, but some precautions apply: Avoid leaning over induction cooktops, as they may temporarily disable stimulation (it resumes once away). At airports, request a pat-down instead of scanners and carry an ID card. The device does not restrict driving (if seizures are controlled) or other activities, but consult your doctor. It may even enhance alertness and mood.
Can the VNS device be removed or turned off?
Yes, if it is not effective or causes issues, the device can be turned off non-invasively or surgically removed. Even if turned off, some users report ongoing benefits like improved quality of life.
Is VNS a cure for epilepsy or depression?
No, VNS is not a cure; it is a palliative treatment to manage symptoms. It may reduce seizures or depression severity but does not eliminate the underlying condition, and effects vary by individual.