vagus nerve stimulator

Has anyone used a vagus nerve stimulator? I have seen many different types and brands advertised lately.

I have never heard of them, but I don't see how they can be less costly or more reliable than the various hands-on DIY methods explained across YouTube. Stroking the tragus repeatedly, deep breathing with breath holds, and so on...

This is the consumer version of the Parasym device used in the TREAT-AF trial. Prior to the consumer model being FDA-approved, I consulted with Dr. Stravakis, lead researcher of TREAT-AF, to see if it might help. Given my AF was turning the corner to persistent with my echo showing some age-related remodeling, he recommended ablation instead, as the device worked best in earlier-stage AF. So if that's where you're at, it may be worth the investment. If your AF is more advanced, probably not. There are many less expensive vagal stimulators out there, but they vary widely, hence caveat emptor.

Jim

[nuropod.com]

Here is a thread on the topic: [www.afibbers.org] and another: [www.afibbers.org]
Here is the TREAT-AF study: [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

At the time of the thread above was started, I had experienced a 15X increase in afib associated with CV19 vaxxes. I thought about getting a device & trying the TREAT-AF protocol. My wife got a TENS machine that could have worked, but I found that microdosing flec (25 mg) before bed was enough to keep me in rhythm so I didn't pursue the vagal stimulation (I later hypothesized that if I got far enough in time away from a vax booster, I couid stop the flec - this turned out to be true at 8 months & no more of those vaxxes for me).

I later tried two vagal stim devices, primarily for sleep (both applied current like the Parasym device and had adjustable current amplitude). One was held against your neck for 2 minutes and the other was also placed on the neck, but was designed where you didn't need to hold it. Neither did anything for my sleep.

I also tried two PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) devices, both for sleep, without benefit. Recently tried a lightweight, battery operated PEMF device that has surprising benefits (that can be returned for a refund after 30 days of use if you aren't satisfied). This device has a mild 9 gauss max field and goes from 1 to 999 Hz, but is not programmable, you select from a menu of 60 programs that run from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours. You wear it next to your body on a lanyard or in a pocket.

I was surprised as it did help sleep, I'd been going to sleep well, but waking up and having a hard time getting back to sleep. Restarting the sleep protocol when I woke up and I was going back to sleep.

I've had tinnitus for around 18 years from a low speed car air bag deployment. It wasn't awful but could be annoying. Running the tinnitus protocol over a number of days and my tinnitus is much less noticiable. Surprisingly trigger points associated with a wrist injury from skiing and rock climbing falls were also diminshed after running the tinnitus protocol.

I'd also run the vagal stimulation and brain balancing protocols (originally developed for TBI's) and noticed that my digestion was better. My BM's have floated for a long time, an indication I'm not digesting fats well. They stopped floating after running these protocols.

In the 60 protocols, there are 5 that are for Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma & Theta states. They also have a list of additional ("expansion") protocols for various issues that use one or more of these protocols. One is for arrythmia and uses the Theta protocol. I ran it once, but as my afib control is excellent, could not tell any difference.

I think the protocol they've tested the most is the one for PTSD, with pretty good results.

60 protocol link to PDF

Expansion protocol link to PDF

Vibe Device

We had a party yesterday and one of our friends didn't come as he's been having so much pain that he's really not getting out of bed much. I lent my device to his wife to see if it would help. I missed it last night when I woke up and could not get back to sleep.

Interestingly, I'm also starting a 30 day study with an ear tragus vagal stimulation device (for sleep) that I had not started as I'd been recently traveling at sea level (I live at 5,500') wanted to start it when I'd been at a steady state. I had low expectations for the Vibe device, so just started it. Will start the ear device now to see what it does, since I won't have the Vibe for a bit.

{edit}
Turns out the treatment programs for my PEMF device are based on what is now called Frequency Specific Microcurrent. This is based on microcurrent technology that was developed in the first 1/3 of the 1900's. Here is a paper detailing some of the history: [elsevier-elibrary.com]

A search for trained practitioners of FSM is here: [frequencyspecific.com]

The practitioner (Carolyn McMakin) who has driven much of the work on this wrote a textbook:[www.amazon.com]

and a more layperson book as well: [www.amazon.com]

Carolyn McMakin has done a number of podcast interviews on the topic, so a search of her name should bring up a few.



Edited 7 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2026 09:31PM by GeorgeN.

Interesting George - as usual.
Any idea if it would help with post shingles nerve problems?

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Joe
Interesting George - as usual.
Any idea if it would help with post shingles nerve problems?

I have no idea. Having listened to Mark Fox, the device's creator (Mark at one point was a chief engineer on the space shuttle), and read some of his material, I think what he did was make the leap that PEMF could be used with the same frequencies and to the same end as frequencies used by microcurrent treating machines. Also that the same combinations & protocols would work. He then set about making a portable, battery operated PEMF machine that could be programmed in this way (but pre-programmed, not user programmed). He then took the frequency recipes and created/programmed the 60 protocols on the machine. These are my assumptions.

I found this paper on the history of microcurrent treatment. [elsevier-elibrary.com] I suggest you read it and come to your own conclusions. Mark has written an ebook that can be purchased off his site for $1US. It is much less detailed, but could give you background.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2025 11:55PM by GeorgeN.

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Joe
Any idea if it would help with post shingles nerve problems?

I read Mark's book and it basically confirmed what I said about using the microcurrent protocols in his PEMF machine. In his book, he linked this paper about using microcurrent protocols to treat shingles (not post shingles) pain. [frequencyspecific.com]

Thank you very much for your links, George! Fascinating!

In my case probably no use since I'm in the 6th week and symptoms are improving (not effective in post herpetic neuralgia).
But if i find a clinic with the right FSM unit I'll still give it a go if my symptoms persist.
Meantime i have a TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) appointment for acupuncture.

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Joe
But if i find a clinic with the right FSM unit I'll still give it a go if my symptoms persist.

Here is a practioner search for FSM that includes Oz. [frequencyspecific.com]

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GeorgeN

Interesting George - as usual.
.
I found this paper on the history of microcurrent treatment. [elsevier-elibrary.com] I suggest you read it and come to your own conclusions. Mark has written an ebook that can be purchased off his site for $1US. It is much less detailed, but could give you background.

It's a very interesting read.
My wife was cured of very painful shoulder (which she suffered for years,) with a PEMF devise.
She was on pain killing drugs most of the time, tried all the usual things the Doctor recommended and still nothing would relieve the pain.
I read about a PEMF device being sold in NZ. The seller said we could use it for 2 weeks and if it had no effect to send it back.
After a week of treatment the pain gradually went away. We still have the devise and use it for other ailments. Never thought of using it for Afib.

Just wondering if there is an app that can run on your phone. That would be handy.

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GeorgeN

But if i find a clinic with the right FSM unit I'll still give it a go if my symptoms persist.

Here is a practioner search for FSM that includes Oz. [frequencyspecific.com]

Thanks, I found two in Melbourne - one quite close to where i am. Already booked for acupuncture so will see how it goes from there.

Interesting and combining both sounds interesting (from search):
When to Use Each
Choose FSM for: Targeted nerve pain, breaking down scar tissue, and rapid ATP production for cellular repair. It is often preferred for neurological conditions where precise instructions are needed for specific tissues like the vagus nerve or spinal cord.
Choose PEMF for: Deep tissue injuries, bone healing, and general wellness. Because it does not require skin contact, it is more convenient for "set-and-forget" use during sleep or work and is effective for reaching areas under bandages or casts.
Delivery Synergy
Many modern practitioners use Frequency-Specific PEMF (FS-PEMF), which combines the specific frequency protocols of FSM with the magnetic delivery system of PEMF. This allows for the precise targeting of FSM without the need for conductive towels or electrode pads.