TAVNS Effect On Exercise in Health Volunteers
Nice, but small study showing that TAVNS at 100 Hz(?) improved exercise stress tests. No effect on Blood Pressure however, a bit surprising. HRV exercise 4.16.2025 advpub_CR-24-0136 Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Hemodynamics and Autonomic Function During Exercise Stress Tests in Healthy Volunteers Yosuke Yoshida, PT; Satoshi Okayama, MD, PhD; Daisuke Fujihara,…
Read MoreWhy Dementia Rates are Rising and What To Do
Why Dementia Rates Are Rising — And What We Can Actually Do About It This article on Dementia is from the National Geographic Magazine . We’ve discussed dementia on the blog here, here and here. I have an ebook on Longevity, with more information based on the Longevity chapter in my book, Radical Resilience….
Read MoreAnti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of vagal nerve stimulation combined with electroacupuncture in a rodent model of TNBS-induced colitis
This is an older paper, but it was well done. They even did a youtube video explaining the study. They found that the combination of vagal nerve stimulation and electroacupuncture was better at reducing inflammation than either therapy alone. We’ve discussed inflammatory colitis here and here. and here Anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of vagal nerve…
Read MoreEffects of Auricular Stimulation on Inflammatory Parameters: Discussion of Findings
This is a more thorough discussion of this blog post. Hua, K., Cummings, M., Bernatik, M., Brinkhaus, B., Usichenko, T., Willich, S. N., Scheibenbogen, C., & Dietzel, J. (2025). Effects of Auricular Stimulation on Inflammatory Parameters: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2024.12.007 Abstract…
Read MoreEffects of Auricular Stimulation on Inflammatory Parameters: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
This paper looks at biomarkers for inflammation and note a decrease across a number of trials of auricular stimulation, both TAVNS and acupuncture. This is fascinating and important. We’ve looked at TAVNs and HRV (which correlates with inflammation) here and here. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39998453/ Hua K, Cummings M, Bernatik M, Brinkhaus B, Usichenko T, Willich SN, Scheibenbogen…
Read MoreNon-Invasive Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Decreases Heart Rate Variability Independent of Caloric Load
In this study, the authors looked at the effect of TAVNS comparing right and left sides. They found no difference between the two sides in the cardiac effects. HOWEVER! They found that TAVNS DECREASED HRV leading to arousal. This is in contradistinction to most studies which show an increase in HRV. The researchers used the…
Read MoreInflammation-Induced Nitric Oxide Synthase May Mediate the Acute Hypotensive Effect of ST36 Stimulation
It’s difficult for me to put this together with other findings on the stimulation of St 36. In the Nature paper, they found that different frequencies of stimulation produced either vagal increase, or sympathetic increase. So this manual stimulation in animals led to a sympathetic increase and an increase in nitric oxide which lead to…
Read MoreElectroacupuncture Autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling: Constipation in Animals
Acupuncture has been shown to activate sirtuins and MTOR. In this article they were able to look at this upregulation in the colon. The transit time increased in rats as well as the weight and water content of stool in rats with constipation. We’ve discussed mTOR and acupuncture here. and here Wang, L., Chen, Y.,…
Read MoreCosmetic Acupuncture
Acupuncture for cosmetic use: a systematic review of prospective studies I provide facial rejuvenation in the clinic. I have patients who have been coming for years and swear that it has helped slow the aging of their faces. Shin B, Lim K. Acupuncture for cosmetic use: a systematic review of prospective studies. J Cosmet Med 2018;2:76-84. https://doi.org/10.25056/JCM.2018.2.2.76…
Read MoreAlzheimer’s : Tragedy of Alzheimer Fraud Research
I’ve touched on this controversy and tragedy in the world of Alzheimer’s research, here here here and in my book, Radical Resilience. This editorial is from the NY Times from a scientist who helped uncover the faulty science. He’s also the author of a new book. The comment section is particularly interesting. Many thoughtful comments,…
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