Revealing the Symbiosis of the Vagus Nerve and the 7 Primary Chakras
In the realm of holistic health and spiritual well-being, the intricate connections between our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves have intrigued and inspired seekers for centuries. Among the numerous systems and networks in our body, the vagus nerve stands out as a key player in bridging the gap between the physical and the metaphysical. This blog explores the fascinating interplay I have found between the vagus nerve, the seven main chakra system, shedding light on the profound impact of this connection on our inner balance which I believe has been hidden from us for centuries and can be seen hidden in drawings and monuments around us.
The Chakras and the vagus nerve may appear like separate systems, one grounded in ancient Eastern spirituality and the other rooted in Western science, but the connection between these two is both fascinating and profound. As a CranioSacral therapist and Reiki Master, I've delved into this nexus, unravelling the intricate physical and emotional ties between each chakra point and the vagus nerve. You may also agree with me at the end that they are not seperate as we are made to believe but one system.
Unveiling the Vagus Nerve: The Wanderer of the Body: Meet the vagus nerve, often called the "wanderer." is the longest cranial nerve, it orchestrates vital bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. Beyond the physical, it plays a pivotal role in our energetic mind-body connection, decoding emotions and mental states.
Understanding the Seven Main Chakra System: Energy Centers of the Body: Entering the world of chakras – spinning balls of energy centers located along the midline, each is a portal to specific aspects of our being. From the grounding Root Chakra to the transcendent Crown Chakra, each corresponding to a specific physical, emotional, and spiritual facet of our existence.
The Connection: Vagus Nerve and Chakras: Bound by the autonomic nervous system, the vagus nerve weaves a seamless thread through the chakras. Its influence extends beyond regulating bodily functions, delving into the realms of emotions and mental states.
Root Chakra (Muladhara): Foundations of Stability Activated at birth, the Root Chakra governs our basic needs, safety, trust, and all survival instincts. Our first years in life sets the stage and foundation of the root chakra and nervous system to either open up, coil in, be contained or tight (freeze, flight, fright) Issues like pelvic problems, and sexual intimacy, often stemming from an imbalanced Root Chakra as it governs our pelvis, sexual organs, ascending bowel, and lower back
Safety helps this chakra to flourish and grow. The root chakra also provides the foundation for the higher charkas – so it is very important to harmonies and heal.
Vagus Nerve and Root Chakra: The vagus nerve, I believe is the physical extension of our chakras. The part of the vagus nerve connected to the Root chakra is unmyelinated, so messages sent to the brain are Slow and is connected to our pelvis, lower abdomen, lumbar area via the coccygeal spinal ganglia, connects to the small intestine, ascending colon, sex organs and appendix. Constipation can be a sign of holding on, feeling unsafe to open up and not letting go and trust.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana):: Embracing Emotions The Sacral Chakra, is our link to the emotional and creative realms. This chakra reveals our relationship patterns and governs our lower visceral organs and the umbilical cord. The cord that connected you to heaven and earth within the womb and where you bonded with your first human being, their feelings and connection to the world.
During childhood if we experienced respect, nurturing, and the honouring of boundaries during your upbringing, setting limits will likely feel natural. However, if your caregivers were chaotic, abusive (emotionally, mentally, or physically), or neglectful, you may struggle to establish a sense of safety in your adult relationships. Challenges with recognizing and maintaining boundaries with others may arise. Additionally, you might find yourself absorbing the emotions of others, becoming overly indulgent or disconnected, and even engaging with the world through worry and fear. This emotional turbulence can also extend upwards from an unbalanced root chakra.
Vagus Nerve and Sacral Chakra The ancient segments of the vagus nerve, comprising the dorsal vagal and sympathetic nervous system, form a vital connection with the sacral chakra, overseeing key organs like the large ascending intestine, part of the small intestine and lower visceral organs such as the adrenals, kidneys, liver, and spleen.
When our sense of ease in the world falters, the sacral chakra, governing these visceral organs, responds—manifesting as an uneasy sensation in the belly or mid/lower back. In a persistent state of fear, stress, or fight-or-flight mode, embodying feelings of being unloved, unwanted, disrespected, uncared for, or unappreciated (all aligned with sacral chakra beliefs), can impact the adrenal glands to continuously release cortisol, cultivating in chronic fatigue.
By attentively noting the physical cues in this region and discerning signals from the vagus nerve, both internal and external, one gains the ability to identify emotional boundaries. This heightened awareness empowers the establishment of healthy limits and boundaries. Recognizing external fears attempting to manipulate these systems allows for active management through the vagus nerve, fostering self-care and facilitating a journey toward balance and well-being.
Solar Plexus (Manipura): Navigating Identity As basic needs and bonds solidify; the Solar Plexus Chakra shapes our identity This chakra serves as the residence of our personality and individual identity. Activate around the age of 2 as we explore and test our sense of self—commonly known as the "naughty twos" phase. During this developmental stage, children often challenge their caretakers and assert their autonomy by saying no.
For centuries, the Solar Plexus chakra, has dominated over our other chakras. shaping us into exhibiting egocentric tendencies, control-seeking behaviours, outspokenness, and a strong desire to be right. Caretakers who excessively control, limit freedom, and suppress human rights, disallowing room for mistakes or inducing feelings of inadequacy, guilt, or shame, significantly impact the development of this chakra. The way you perceive yourself and the external world significantly influences the Solar Plexus chakra.
Vagus Nerve and Solar Plexus Chakra The connection between the Vagus nerve and the Solar Plexus chakra is notable. The Vagus nerve links to the Solar Plexus chakra through the upper digestive system and lower endocrine system, encompassing the upper portion of the kidneys, adrenals (part of the endocrine system), liver, gallbladder, and the Solar Plexus itself. The Vagus nerve's connection to the Solar Plexus involves unmyelinated fibers, resulting in slower feedback to the brain.
The endocrine system plays a crucial role in responding to stress by releasing hormones into the bloodstream. This cascade of signals informs the hypothalamus, triggering the pituitary gland to produce stress-related hormones. This process indicates distress, excessive control, and heightened stimulation by the external environment (freeze, flight, or fright). Subsequently, the adrenal glands receive signals suggesting danger. This intricate system may lead to a tightening sensation in the Solar Plexus (anxiety) and the sacral chakra, as surplus cortisol is released into the bloodstream. This physiological response, often manifesting as illness or medical problems, is rooted in environmental and emotional factors. Anxiety is not an emotion it is a feeling within the body and can be deeply related to fear, worry and not feeling safe.
Heart Chakra – The connection to love and compassion. The bridge between the lower 3 earth chakras and upper 3 heavenly chakras.
Serving as the nexus between love and compassion, the heart chakra acts as the bridge or gateway connecting the lower three earthly chakras with the upper three heavenly chakras. The current increasing dominance of the heart chakra signifies its pivotal role in unlocking the full spectrum of a joyful and abundant life. However, external influences such as the world around us, media, and interpersonal relationships wield significant control over this majestic chakra. To unleash its vast potential, we must embark on a journey of self-love and forgiveness, integrating the experiences of our childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
The heart's vitality may encounter disruption and impediment due to a broken heart, mistrust, grief, and sadness. A heart chakra that is clear, open, and robust grants access to the seamless flow of all other chakras, fostering a profound sense of alignment and balance. This alignment has the potential to catalyze spiritual evolution and instill a newfound inner grounding. The potency of the heart chakra is awe-inspiring, as it possesses the ability to heal through the highest frequency attainable—unconditional love or the divine light of one's soul or god. This healing energy radiates inward and then extends outward.
Choosing to fully open the heart unleashes a gentle, present, equanimous, peaceful, and overall well-being. Governed not solely by the heart but also by the upper respiratory tract, lungs, trachea, and thymus gland, the heart chakra interweaves with the vagus nerve.
Vagus Nerve and Heart Chakra The ventral vagal fibers of the vagus nerve intertwine with the upper respiratory tract, exhibiting high-speed movement due to their myelinated nature. The ventral vagal branch of the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating both breathing and heart rate, subsequently transmitting signals to other organs, signaling them to be on alert. Cranial nerve X, is intricately linked to the other cranial nerves, that contributing to the control of facial expressions, eye movements, and the voice box. By actively managing our breath and heart rate, we can induce a calming effect, and effectively sooth an overactive nervous system.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – Influences communication and expression.
The throat chakra enables us to produce sound. Sound is essentially vibration, and the Earth's vibrational sound is referred to as the Schumann resonances (SR). Every time we speak, we are shaping our reality by manifesting and expressing our inner thoughts and feelings. Our expression, tone, and choice of words influence how we interact and co-regulate with others, sending signals of safety, care, and love. Each word and tone cast spells that contribute to shaping our reality.
Vagus nerve and Throat chakra The ventral vagal myelinated fibres that connect to the heart and lungs also connects into the throat, inner ear and face. The myelinated branch allows information gathered from the ears and heart to be received and sent.
Listening can be deeply calming to the nervous system which can affect the whole resonance of the physical and chakra system. This is the only chakra that we can physically hear the frequency and tone off.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – Related to intuition and insight.
A balanced third eye enhances our clarity, particularly in intuition. It serves as our true eye. Upon awakening from illusions, we perceive the world around us as it truly is. The third eye offers limitless vision, transcending past and future, existing only in the ever-present now. This chakra fosters awareness of our soul or one light. The insights gained from the third eye increase spiritual awareness of ourselves and others. Embracing and acknowledging the energy within and around us while staying present is the essence of spirituality or awakening. It enables healing from accumulated life traumas, fostering growth, evolution, and a deeper acceptance and trust in our inner and outer environments.
Vagus Nerve and Third Eye Chakra: The third eye is found in the front part of the brain, prefrontal lobe, and is said to be connected to the pineal gland. The prefrontal lobe is the part of the brain where we regulate thoughts, actions, emotions and reasoning and impulsive behaviour.
The pineal gland is located between the cerebral hemispheres, in the mid-line of the brain, outside the blood-brain barrier. The pineal gland works together with the pituitary, the hypothalamus and the thalamus glands and to regulate the hormonal system of the body. It is the hormones that send signals to the endocrne system via the vagus nervous system.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – Associated with spiritual enlightenment and connection to the divine.
The crown chakra serves as a profound reminder of our connection to Source, universal light, the One light, or god. It is the space where we realize our authentic interconnectedness, recognizing ourselves as integral parts or particles of a singular light, each undergoing a unique experience within a fleeting moment of time. Through the crown chakra, compassion and empathy naturally flourish, providing a platform where we receive profound insights from our higher selves and experience rejuvenation from the wellspring of source energy when depleted. The crown chakra becomes the conduit for transformation, connection, and healing, embracing the unity inherent in unconditional love.
Vagus Nerve and the Crown Chakra It is believed that the energy emanating from the crown chakra, positioned just above the head, gracefully descends into the circle of Willis. This intricate network serves as the pathway for the major arteries at the base of the brain. It is within this vital space that the vagus nerve, cranial X, originates, extending both left and right throughout the body. This delicate region of the brain also encompasses the optic tracts, pituitary stalk, and basal hypothalamus, marking the point of origin for the optical nerve, trigeminal nerve, and mandible nerve. Moreover, it establishes connections with the cerebral arteries, basilar artery, and carotid arteries, ensuring a crucial blood supply to the brain. It is only through the cranial nerve, that we embark on the captivating journey of interaction with the world and trying to decode the information received from the external world around us.
Practical Applications:
Understanding this intricate connection opens doors to practical well-being enhancements and better understanding. Explore simple practices like the ones in my Free Vagus Nerve Care Master class, breathe work exercises, meditation or mindfulness, hugs, laughter and chi gong or yoga to stimulate the vagus nerve, fostering a harmonious balance between the chakras and the body's energetic centres. Intuitive Body Work, CranioSacral Therapy and Reiki session are powerful ways in bringing harmony and clearing blockages to this system which I believe is one.
