Stimulation of the vagus nerve associated with meditation increases the advantages of self-compassion and mindfulness

Stimulation of the vagus nerve with a device attached to the outer ear can help make training in the meditation of compassion more effective to stimulate the ability of people of autonomy and mindfulness, finds a new study led by researchers from the University College London (UCL).

The study, published in Psychological medicineAdd evidence of the potential advantages of stimulating this key nerve that connects the brain to major organs in the chest and the abdomen.

The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in the “Rest and-Digest” system (parasympathetic), thwarting the response of stress “Fight-Or Flight” (sympathetic), and allows the brain to communicate with all the main organs of the body. By transmitting body signals to the brain, the vagus nerve can also regulate a range of psychological processes, including some involved in social interactions and emotional control.

The researchers stimulated the vagus nerve of the study participants by providing an painless electrical impulse to the tragus, the small cartilaginous component located in front of the auditory duct on the outer ear. This electronic impulse was designed to activate the nerve fibers that pass near the surface of the skin.

The academics tested 120 healthy participants who received stimulation of the vagus nerve through the skin on their tragus, ie placebo stimulation to another part of the ear. This has been combined either with self-compassion meditation training, or another form of training not designed to promote compassion.

Participants who received the stimulation of the vagus nerve alongside self-compassion training experienced a greater and more immediate increase in self-compassion than those of the three other groups.

The level of mindfulness of the participants (awareness of the present moment and calm recognition of his thoughts and his feelings) was also measured, and the full awareness advantages accumulated through several training sessions, suggesting that if certain effects of stimulation and training are immediate, others are built over time.

The main author, Professor Sunjeev Kamboj (UCL psychology and language sciences), said: “We have found that the supply of a small ear shock, to stimulate the vagus nerve, can amplify the advantages of certain meditation techniques, in particular those involved in the culture of self-compassion.

“Our results reveal how neuroscience technology can have a significant impact on how we feel for ourselves. Neurostimulation alone had limited advantages, but it may have an important role to play in supporting meditation therapies, which are increasingly used to help people with mental and physical health problems.

“Meditation can be difficult work, requiring persistence and dedication, therefore a means of stimulating and accelerating its impacts could be a welcome development for therapists and patients.”

Researchers say that additional research is necessary to refine the technique and see how long the effects last. In addition, as this study only studied healthy participants without diagnosed psychological disorder, additional research is necessary to see if this approach could benefit people with conditions such as anxiety, depression or trauma.

In a distinct study published in July 2025, a team co-directed by a UCL researcher also found that stimulation of the vagus nerve could help improve the physical form and tolerance to exercise.