Vagus Nerve Stimulation Boosts Self-Compassion, Study Finds
New research published in Psychological Medicine suggests that stimulating the vagus nerve, a key connection between the brain and major organs, can significantly enhance the benefits of self-compassion meditation.The study adds to growing evidence supporting the potential of this neurostimulation technique.
The vagus nerve is central to the body’s “rest-and-digest” system, helping to counteract stress and enabling communication between the brain and organs. It also influences psychological processes like emotional control and social interaction.
Researchers at UCL stimulated the vagus nerve in 120 healthy participants using a painless electrical pulse delivered to the tragus – the small flap of cartilage in front of the ear canal. Participants were divided into groups receiving either vagus nerve stimulation or a placebo, combined with either self-compassion meditation training or a different type of training.
Those who received vagus nerve stimulation alongside self-compassion training experienced a notably larger and faster increase in self-compassion compared to all other groups. While immediate benefits were observed, improvements in mindfulness – awareness of the present moment – built up over multiple training sessions.
“We found that delivering a small shock to the ear, to stimulate the vagus nerve, can amplify the benefits of certain meditation techniques, particularly those involved in cultivating self-compassion,” explained Professor Sunjeev Kamboj, lead author of the study. “Neurostimulation alone had limited benefits, but it may have an crucial role to play in supporting meditation therapies, which are increasingly used to help people with mental and physical health problems. Meditation can be hard work, requiring persistence and dedication, so a way to boost and accelerate its impacts could be a welcome development for therapists and patients alike.”
The researchers emphasize the need for further examination to determine the longevity of these effects and to explore potential benefits for individuals with diagnosed psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma.A separate, recent study co-led by a UCL researcher also indicated that vagus nerve stimulation could improve fitness and exercise tolerance.
Source: University College London – https://www.ucl.ac.uk/
Journal reference: Kamboj, S. K.,et al. (2025) Electroceutical enhancement of self-compassion training using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: results from a preregistered fully factorial randomized controlled trial. Psychological Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291725101013
