Vagus nerve stimulation has been dubbed one of 2025’s biggest wellness trends. But what is it?
The vagus nerve is the main part of the parasympathetic nervous system, controlling bodily functions like digestion, heart rate and the immune system. So it’s important. Really important, actually.
Stimulation has been used to treat conditions like epilepsy, depression and in the rehabilitation of stroke patients since 1988 when the first device was implanted in a patient - but non-invasive gadgets are only recently gaining steam in the wellness community. This is because these portable and easy-to-use wearables activate the nerve through vibration with recorded benefits ranging from reducing heart rate and blood pressure to regulating inflammation and reducing stress-causing cortisol.
In Netflix's documentary Don't Die, we saw millionaire longevity enthusiast Bryan Johnson showcase a wealth of wellness tech. In his bid to slow down the ageing process, the biohacker listed the hundreds of supplements he takes daily as well as the tools - the best that money can buy - that optimise his diet and lifestyle to achieve this mission. One such gadget is the Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulator - and since its feature, it has seen a surge in sales of 300 per cent as viewers race to see if the relatively affordable product (in comparison to blood transfusion anyway) could lengthen their life.
The Pulsetto device is designed to suit those who struggle to find a moment of calm in their day. As a beginner in the world of meditation and mindfulness, it forced me to carve out 5 to 10 minutes to retreat from the chaos of modern life and focus on breathing. The more you use it, the more effective it will be. So is it worth the hype? I put it to the test.
Key specs
Set-up
Download the app, pair it with the device and you’re good to get going. In the box, you’ll find the Pulsetto wearable, a USB-C charger to juice it up and conductive electrolyte gel - using the latter will make the process more comfortable and effective. I gave the device a go without it and even on the highest intensity, I barely felt a thing.
To set up the app, you must first fill out a form with such questions as ‘How burnt out are you?’ and ‘How difficult is it for you to fall and stay asleep?’, which you detail on a bar chart from 0 to 100. Once the analysis is complete, the app will detail which session is right for your needs. It also offers stress insights, gives you a sleep score and provides personalised tips on improving your health.
To get the most out of your practice, turn your phone onto ‘Do Not Disturb’ or ‘Sleep’ mode so it pauses notifications and you will not be distracted.
Programmes
The brains behind the Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulator based its functionality on decades of working with stress and trauma-related conditions. As such, you will find programmes for stress, sleep, anxiety, pain management and burnout where nerve stimulation is paired with calming music and breathwork prompts.
The app is fitted with a calendar-like schedule to hold you accountable for its use and the short durations mean it is easily to slip the likes of morning medidation into your routine. Who wouldn’t want to start the day with a “positive and clear mindset”, after all? You have to use it twice a day to get a tick on the activity scale.
Each programme - whether you want a four-minute stress relief or six-minute calming of anxiety - gives you the option to set it alongside soundscapes. The music library includes wildlife and ocean sounds, among many others, all of which are incredibly soothing. You can also partake in breathing exercises like Unwind Your Thoughts (one to eight minutes of inhale and hold and exhale and hold) or Stress Dissolve which are almost miraculous in the way they expell any notion of anxiety.
According to the brand, benefits include improved sleep length and quality, improved mood, lowered anxiety, increased resilience to stress, faster recovery and management of pain. I can’t attest to the latter as I do not experience chronic pain, however, using the Pulsetto before bed was very effective in speeding up the time it took me to fall asleep, but whether this had to do with the nerve stimulation or simply the ambience of the music and the breathwork exercises, I’m not convinced.
I did not experience any side effects, no muscle twitching even and certainly no headaches.
Verdict
Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulator
In Netflix’s documentary Don’t Die, we saw millionaire longevity enthusiast Bryan Johnson list the supplements he takes daily to slow down the ageing process — and the tools he uses, too. One of them, the Pulsetto vagus nerve stimulator, has since seen its sales surge by 300 per cent.
Vagus nerve stimulation has been dubbed one of the top wellbeing trends for 2025. The vibrating neck wearable sends electrical impulses to the brain-to-gut nerve that controls heart rate, mood and inflammation. Once an implant to treat epilepsy and depression, the non-invasive alternative is pegged as a stress reliever.
Pair with the companion app and you can tailor sessions to your concern — alleviate anxiety, encourage sleep, combat burnout or relieve pain. You are prompted to use it twice a day.
The treatment consists of a very light vibration — level nine is required to really feel it. There are breathing exercises and calming music to listen to alongside it, and the results feel instantaneous. One minute and 37 seconds into the Unwind Your Thoughts exercise and a wave of calm washed over me. Johnson might be onto something here.
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