Unlock Your Natural Reset Button: An Intro to Vagus Nerve Stimulation

At Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions, Dr. Karen Giles and Dr. Cecilia Kwong care for many patients throughout the greater Atlanta area who have battled depression for years without finding meaningful relief. 

For those with treatment-resistant depression, the problem may be beyond the help of traditional therapies — sometimes the body’s internal regulation system simply needs help. That system is deeply connected to the vagus nerve, a powerful pathway running from your brainstem through your chest and abdomen.

This nerve influences mood, stress recovery, digestion, heart rhythm, and emotional regulation. When it’s functioning well, you feel steadier and more resilient. When it’s underactive, however, your body’s natural calming system can falter, leaving you stuck in cycles of low mood, tension, and emotional overwhelm.

Why the vagus nerve plays such a big role in mental health

The vagus nerve is a key player in your parasympathetic nervous system — the arm of your stress response that helps you rest, recover, and return to baseline. When its signals weaken, your body may stay in a persistent “high-alert” mode. That can show up as chronic anxiety, irritability, depression, or trouble winding down after experiencing stress.

Reduced vagal tone can stem from long-term stress, trauma, or certain medical conditions. For some, it’s simply how their system is wired. Whatever the cause, when this nerve isn’t working effectively, the symptoms can feel overwhelming.

How vagus nerve stimulation helps restore balance

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is designed for people with treatment-resistant depression who haven’t improved with medication or therapy alone. Instead of targeting neurotransmitters directly, VNS supports your body’s own regulatory circuits by gently stimulating the vagus nerve at regular intervals.

This repeated activation encourages healthier communication between the nerve and the brain regions involved in mood regulation, emotional control, and stress resilience. Over time, many patients notice steadier moods and improved overall functioning.

What the treatment involves

If VNS is right for you, the process begins with a surgical procedure to implant a small device under your skin on your chest. A thin lead attaches to the vagus nerve in your neck and delivers controlled, mild electrical impulses.

Most patients don’t feel the stimulation happening. We can gradually adjust the device at follow-up visits to ensure the settings continue to meet your needs. Improvements build slowly but steadily, making VNS a long-term, restorative approach.

Why VNS can make a life-changing difference

By working with your body’s built-in regulation system, VNS helps many patients experience:

• Greater emotional stability
• Less intense or less frequent depressive episodes
• Better stress recovery
• More productive and connected daily living

If you’re living with persistent depression and want to explore a treatment that supports your body’s natural ability to reset, VNS may be worth considering.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, call Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions in Sandy Springs or Alpharetta, Georgia, or request an appointment online. Dr. Giles and Dr. Kwong are here to guide you toward a steadier, more hopeful future.