Best vagus nerve stimulation devices: Experts weigh in on the stress-reducing and mental health benefits

The vagus nerve might not be something you’ve thought much about, but it’s quickly becoming a buzzword in the wellness world.

Thanks to a new wave of tech and the Netflix wellness docuseries Don’t Die, more people are discovering its role in everything from stress relief to better sleep.

This nerve, which runs from your brain all the way down to your gut, acts as a superhighway for signals that control relaxation, digestion and overall balance in the body. Now, with the rise of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) devices, there’s a growing interest in how we can tap into this natural calming system to boost mental well-being without medication.

VNS devices, like those developed by companies such as Pulsetto and Apollo claim to help manage stress, improve sleep and enhance emotional resilience. With so much interest in the space, the ES Best Shopping team have looked into what these devices do, what experts think, and most importantly how they perform in real life.

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, extending from the brainstem through the neck, chest and abdomen, connecting to various organs including the heart, lungs and digestive tract. It plays an important role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s ‘rest and digest’ activities, helping to regulate functions such as heart rate, digestion and respiratory rate.

A vagus nerve stimulator delivers gentle electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This stimulation helps shift the body from a ‘fight or flight’ state to a ‘rest and digest’ state, promoting relaxation and balance. Non-invasive VNS devices are designed for regular, short sessions of electrical stimulation and are considered safer than drugs for treating conditions like anxiety, sleep disorders and migraines.

The vagus nerve stimulator Nurosym gained attention through its feature in the Netflix documentary Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever. The film positioned it as an important tool in the longevity movement, emphasising its role in improving quality of life and extending health spans.

Meanwhile, there’s been a jump in interest for Nurosym devices, with a 396 per cent rise in searches for the device in the last year alone. Research from the device shows users have been using the device to improve sleep, ADHD, mental health and stress, with some using the device to support long-term COVID-19 symptoms that they are still experiencing after the pandemic.

Experts acknowledge the potential benefits of VNS devices in managing stress and improving mental health. “Preventive wellness practices and longevity are rapidly becoming central to health innovation,” said Povilas Sabaliauskas, stress management expert and Pulsetto co-founder. “We have to be proactive and use available solutions that can get faster results to recover from stress instead of waiting for a nervous breakdown. VNS devices have already proved how advanced drug-free solutions can address mental health challenges. I believe that by helping users manage stress, improve sleep, and enhance recovery, we’re contributing to a broader shift toward proactive, sustainable health practices.”

Since 2024, the device has had API integrations that allow users to monitor heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) in real-time. It offers a more personalised approach to stress management.

Dr. Charlotte Lee-Sinclair from the Nurosym team says: “Our neuromodulation technology is on the bleeding edge of science. Medical school never taught us to modulate the parasympathetic nervous system but the awareness of how critical this is to managing symptoms across a wide range of symptoms and conditions is growing. The fact that we’re now able to identify the specific vagal nerve fibres that activate different areas of the brain stem is amazing but there’s still more to be done. We know that inflammation and stress contribute to 75 to 90 per cent of chronic conditions, but backed by the most robust evidence base, we’re now able to tackle this head-on with a non-invasive and unobtrusive device that fits into the modern lifestyle.”

To really see if vagus nerve stimulation devices live up to the hype, different members of the ES Best Shopping team put them to the test in situations where stress and focus were major factors.

I have ADHD, which means my brain is often in overdrive. I struggle to focus during the day and switching off at night is a challenge. I usually have to push myself to exhaustion at the gym just to get to sleep, so I wanted to see if these devices could help me wind down in a more natural, sustainable way. I also tested them before big social events, where my ADHD-fuelled social anxiety usually kicks in.

Other members of the team tried these devices for focus at work and better sleep because we all experience brain fog and restless nights sometimes. I also asked a friend with ADHD and autism to try one out before heading to his high-stress job. He often struggles with sensory overload and anxiety at work, so this was a real test to see if vagus nerve stimulation could help regulate his nervous system before a demanding shift.

With a mix of neurodivergent and neurotypical testers, the ES Best Shopping team wanted to find out whether these devices really work for anyone looking to calm a racing mind, improve focus, or simply get a better night’s sleep.

Read on for the best vagus nerve devices.