Vagus Nerve Stimulation Can Alleviate Chronic Depression

This is why invasive procedures such as Deep Brain Stimulation and now Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) are of such interest. VNS involves implanting a kind of pacemaker into the chest that delivers electrical impulses to the mood centres of the brain every five minutes.
This latest research found that around a quarter of patients experienced a complete remission from their symptoms after extended treatment.
University of Texas
Article on VNS as well as some people's treatment experiences.
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2 comments
interesting research. 25% cure is pretty good for depression.
A degree of intermittent vagus nerve stimulation can also be reached through various breathing exercises, frequent in use in traditional chinese psychiatric departments.
I am not saying that this is necessarily suitable treatment for a chronic depression, but it is a good example on where modern science rediscovers traditional medicinal knowledge. Perhaps a trial of some form of psychomotorical movement therapy would be in order prior to installing such an implant?