Nurosym Vagus Nerve Stimulator - a Nervous System Chiropractor's Review
You may have seen devices like Nurosym popping up in conversations around nervous system health, long COVID, and vagus nerve regulation. I personally am getting served so many ads for all the different devices.. but maybe that’s because I’m in the industry (and my phone is listening to me!).
I quite like vagus nerve stimulation, for the right person, at the right time.. because it can really amplify healing. And in chronic cases, it can help you get over those humps, that deep breathing alone won’t be able to do (and don’t get me started on cold plunging if you’re in a chronic stress state..).
Here’s a breakdown with a focus on the Nurosym, to help you understand how auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) works, and why the ear might be the most underrated tool for regulating your health.
What is vagus nerve stimulation?
The vagus nerve is like the superhighway between your brain and body. It runs from the brainstem all the way down to your organs, influencing everything from heart rate and digestion to inflammation and mood. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a way of activating this nerve using electrical impulses, which can be applied directly to the nerve on the neck, or via sensory input such as the Nurosym, which is via the ear.
The parasympathetic nervous system, including the vagus nerve, is responsible for regulating the "rest and digest" functions of the body, such as heart rate, digestion, and immune function. Often in times of chronic stress (for whatever reason), the parasympathetic nervous system has low activity, leading you down a spiral towards a heightened sympathetic nervous system response.
The goal? To bring the nervous system back into balance, to reduce inflammation, and to upregulate parasympathetic activity, especially when someone is stuck in chronic fight-or-flight or shutdown states.
What does auricular vagus nerve stimulation do?
The outer ear (auricle) is the only place on the surface of the body where branches of the vagus nerve reach the skin. Devices like Nurosym use small electrodes to deliver gentle electrical stimulation to these auricular sensory areas - most often the tragus or cymba conchae. The nurosym uses the tragus, which is labelled in the image below.
Nurosym uses AVNT
AVNT stands for Auricular Vagal Neuromodulation Therapy. It's a type of neuromodulation that stimulates the vagus nerve through the outer ear. This stimulation aims to improve autonomic balance by activating an often underactive vagus nerve (and parasympathetic nervous system), and reduce symptoms of chronic sympathetic (stress) dominance.
Here’s where it gets fascinating (to me, at least!)..
These sensory branches send signals up to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in the brainstem, which then connects to brain regions involved in calming, inflammation control, and neuroplasticity. This includes the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, which controls the anti-inflammatory pathways via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex.
So you’re not just relaxing the nervous system.. you’re potentially influencing inflammation, immune function, and gut-brain signalling, too.
When signing up to purchase a Nurosym for my practice, I had to undertake a few hours of Professional Learning to truly understand the Nurosym. And what I loved was that this tragus stimulation specifically targeted regions of the vagus nerve involved in the anti-inflammatory pathways, rather than the entire vagus nerve. INCREDIBLE.
Why do you stimulate the left ear?
Most aVNS devices stimulate the left ear because the right vagus nerve is more directly involved in controlling heart rhythm, especially the sinoatrial node. Stimulating the right side could theoretically interfere with cardiac function, so the left is used for safety and consistency. It still activates central vagal pathways effectively.
I want to make it clear that this has largely been debunked, and Nurosym even offer a right sided tragus stimulator clip now (as an add-on product). Their default product offers the left tragus clip due to being extra cautious.
However, it is important to know that much of the research on vagus nerve stimulation has been done using left sided stimulation.
What does it feel like?
It’s typically a gentle tingling or pulsing sensation. It’s not painful, just noticeable.
You actually should not feel pain - if you do, please reduce the intensity or stop completely.
Some people feel a sense of calm or even sleepiness during or after use. Others feel a gentle alertness. Like most nervous system tools, it’s about tuning into your own body’s response.
In time, you should (in theory) experience a reduction in inflammation and chronic stress activation.
Why only stimulate certain vagus branches?
The vagus nerve does a lot. It’s made up of both motor and sensory fibers, and while stimulating certain branches (like in the ear) can be helpful, the effects of stimulation may differ when stimulating other regions of the vagus nerve.
Auricular vagus stimulation targets the sensory branch, which safely activates upstream brain pathways that influence autonomic tone and inflammation, without affecting things like speech, heart rhythm, or swallowing. It’s a smart way of tapping into the vagus nerve’s benefits through a safe and accessible entry point.
It’s important to note that all branches and functions of the vagus nerve have a purpose. So the type of stimulation you need may differ to others.
I often use laser or vibration on the abdominal vagus, and if you have seen any of my videos you’ll know I love breathing, eye exercises and even tapping to stimulate the vagus nerve. These spots all have a similar effect on the vagus nerve, BUT possibly a different effect on the individual nervous system (am I making sense?!).
Nurosym in action
Attaching to the tragus, with the cord behind the ear, means you can easily use it no matter what you’re doing.
What are the benefits of vagus nerve stimulation?
Some of the most researched and reported benefits of vagus nerve stimulation (especially AVNT) include:
Improved stress resilience and emotional regulation
Increased heart rate variability (HRV)
Reduced inflammation via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway
Support for gut function and motility
Better sleep
Reduction in brain fog, fatigue, and headaches
Improved mood and anxiety symptoms
Enhanced cognitive function and neuroplasticity
It’s my hope that anyone using a device such as the Nurosym notices all of these improvements, but as I always say.. you’ve got to get the right nervous system, at the right time. I guess what I’m trying to say is, it can be worth a shot, but I can’t promise you will tick off all of these improvements.
What are the risks?
With non-invasive stimulation like Nurosym, the risks are generally low. Some things to watch for:
Skin irritation at the electrode site
Temporary dizziness, fatigue, or headache (especially if the setting is too strong)
Overstimulation in highly sensitive individuals
It’s not recommended for people with implanted electrical devices like pacemakers or certain heart conditions
As always, check with a qualified healthcare provider if you’re unsure whether it’s right for you.
Who would Nurosym work best for?
Nurosym may be especially helpful for people dealing with dysautonomia, nervous system dysregulation, or chronic illness. While it’s not a magic fix, based on the research done by Nurosym, it can be an incredibly useful tool for conditions such as:
POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
Long COVID and other post-viral syndromes
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Fibromyalgia
Anxiety, depression, or burnout
IBS and gut-brain axis dysfunction
Migraines and tension-type headaches
It’s best used alongside a broader nervous system regulation plan - one that includes pacing, movement, nutrition, sleep, chiropractic, and emotional processing (such as with therapist Ash on my team).
Please note that the Nurosym is not suitable for children and teens under the age of 18.
Nurosym has invested a LOT of time and energy into research and I really love that about a company. Especially when it comes to chronically unwell people.. If you’re anything like me, you will feel like you’ve spent an arm and a leg trying to find answers, so it’s reassuring when a product is backed by research. Their clinical research has been conducted in collaboration with academic and research institutions, including Harvard, UCLA, and UCL.
Final thoughts
Nurosym and other auricular vagus nerve stimulators are opening up a new frontier in how we approach nervous system care. For people navigating chronic dysregulation, they can offer gentle, science-backed support for coming back into balance.
While I always promote getting to the point you don’t need any hacks or devices, I think sometimes it’s really important that you lean on products you can trust. Like any tool, the key is using it with intention, self-awareness, and support when needed.
Want to see Nurosym in action?
I’ve shared my honest thoughts, experiences, and tips for getting started in my YouTube review (link will be here once I’ve released the video) of Nurosym, including how I use it as part of a nervous system regulation routine.
If you’re curious to try it yourself, you can use my discount code: DRCARRIE here for 10% off. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if it’s not the right fit for you.