Skip to content 
The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body, stretching from your brain to your large intestine. The word ‘vagus’ comes from Latin and means wandering, describing the way this nerve wanders through the body, connecting the brain stem to organs and cells, allowing communication to flow
It is an extremely diverse nerve that has both sensory and motor functions. It is one of twelve cranial nerves, which are pairs of nerves that connect the brain to different parts of your head, neck and torso. Part of what makes this nerve so worthy of our attention is the fact that it has the longest pathway of all the cranial nerves and is often described as a secret weapon to fighting stress. [1]
To really understand this nerve in relation to EFT we can look at The Polyvagal theory, established by Stephen Porges in 1994. This theory explores the vagus nerve in relation to evolution, emotions and fear response.[2] It gives insight into the Vagus nerve that is 80% sensory and deeply entwined with our past and present experiences, with information being sent and received, mostly from the organs/tissues and into the brain.
According to Polyvagal Theory, the vagus nerve has different responses to threat that have evolved over time. The ventral vagal state is the ideal where we are able to heal through social connection and is essentially about feeling safe. For example, we adapt to the threat by finding comfort in someone’s facial expression or body language. This is a healing state called parasympathetic and the goal of therapy is to support a person to live in this state most of the time.
If we cannot achieve this we will enter a flight or flight response where the Vagus nerve enters a protective function because we feel unsafe, a sympathetic state. We might get defensive or aggressive. Finally, if this doesn’t get the achieved sense of enough safety we will enter a complete shut down response. Healing and restoration cannot occur in these sympathetic states. All of these are valid survival responses to perceived threat that have been learnt.
When we have experienced trauma we will be more often triggered and wired for defensive nervous response, and perceive the world as a more threatening place. Sometimes a client is unable to feel their body and emotions, or form meaningful relationships. Another person might feel very anxious and worried. In these cases the vagal tone is poor and their system is wired for fire fighting and survival. It might seem the person is unable to relax or see the positive side of life, perhaps they are certain EFT will not work for them.
For this person, the vagus nerve is attuned to all these somatic memories stored in their network and responds accordingly. For example, if a child’s mother was very critical then they may be hyper aware of judgemental tones and looks from women in adulthood, experiencing an unpleasant physical sensation in response. Part of the challenge is that so much of this triggering is unconscious and they feel ambushed by the feelings that can range from unpleasant to unbearable.
EFT is one of a number of leading trauma informed practices that is a cognitive, energetic and somatic therapy and is seeing results, in part, through activating the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system. [3]The process of tapping on these energetic points, whilst engaging emotions, thoughts and somatic experience, is a powerful combination that the mind-body community is itself learning more about. Anyone who experiences EFT will know, it just works!
In EFT a great deal is happening to support the parasympathetic healing state. The Vagus nerve is stimulated through forming a trusting connection with a therapist, from facial queues that signal safety to being witnessed and valued. The very nature of this safe container can improve vagal tone, though it should be recognised that a client can also be challenged and triggered by this situation. This highlights the need for EFT and all therapists to be trauma informed, and shows trust must be developed before going to traumatic events
EFT also engages the somatic experiencing through exploring sensations and emotions in the body and tapping on acupressure points. Research shows that just tapping helps increase the parasympathetic nervous system, suggesting that EFT can indeed stimulate the vagus nerve. Furthermore anything that recreates an early experience of safety will support the healing state, so gentle rhythm can be very comforting. Research into what is really happening during EFT, from measuring brain waves to hormone changes, is helping give scientific evidence to what therapists have been seeing for years. [4]
The more safety our clients can feel in sessions, the more they will heal and the more they heal the more safety they will find in their life outside the therapy room. EFT not only has the potential to stimulate the vagus nerve, but also to rewire someone’s ability to adapt positively to their environment and gain a clearer sense of reality. This flows into the relationships they have, the work they choose to do and how they treat themselves and others.
The love and acceptance part of EFT is also deeply rooted in this feeling of safety. Growing self-compassion is essential to healing and to feel these healthy emotions the client needs to be in the parasympathetic state. EFT therapists will all have witnessed clients who to begin with are not ready to say self-compassionate statements out loud, but in time feel safe enough to do so.
At the core of the Polyvagal theory is the belief that growth and healing comes from this profound inner sense of being safe in our body and life. We need to prioritise feeling safe and make life changes to allow our vagus nerve to function well in a state of balance. This can be through Mindfulness, nature, EFT tapping, community groups, safe relationships, to name a few. Being able to engage in these activities with less stress response indicates that the vagus nerve is more stimulated and a healing beyond what we can see is taking place.
The field of EFT is becoming more respected, just as The Polyvagal theory is gaining more evidence to support it’s theories. EFT is a great and accessible way for people to lower sympathetic stress sates, and working with a trauma informed practitioner is even better for sustainable vagus tone and health. EFT is a powerful therapeutic technique we can use for ourselves and for others. After all, we all deserve to feel safe and able to live a full life.
[1](https://www.healthline.com/health/12-cranial-nerves#cranial-nerves)
[2]Polyvagal theory – Wikipedia
[3]EFT, Polyvagal Theory and the Mind Body Connection – YouTube
[4]EFT, Polyvagal Theory and the Mind Body Connection – YouTube
