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Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Vagus nerve

Evidence-informed definition Updated July 23, 2024 How to cite this entry

The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve, one of the longest and most complex. It originates in the brainstem and travels to the neck, thorax, and abdomen, connecting the brain to the rest of the body’s organs. It regulates blood flow, heart rate, reflex actions, breathing, digestion, and other essential processes in the body via the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The vagus nerve is a direct physical connection between the gut and the brain (Breit et al., 2018).

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Written by The Center for Nutritional Psychology
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The Center for Nutritional Psychology. (2024). Vagus nerve. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology. The Center for Nutritional Psychology.

https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/encyclopedia/vagus-nerve/
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