Why the Dalai Lama Smiled
The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) is the longest and most complex cranial nerve, running from your brainstem down to your large intestine. It is the primary driver of the parasympathetic nervous system, regulating involuntary "rest and digest" functions like heart rate, digestion, and immune responses.
Neuroscientist Dr. Kevin Tracey is one of the world's preeminent experts on vagus nerve stimulation, a medical intervention with proven effectiveness in treating depression and epilepsy, and post-stroke rehabilitation. The vagus nerve may play a critical role in modulating inflammatory responses in the body, which is at the root of many of the leading causes of death in the industrialized world. Inflammation is associated with all the major chronic health threats in modern society, including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, not to mention depression, mental illness, and various forms of arthritis.
While Dr. Tracey's area of research is vagus nerve stimulation by way of implanted electrical devices, the vagus nerve can also be stimulated through meditation, breathing exercises, exercise, massage, and cold exposure.
A Scientist, a Spiritual Leader, and Three Questions
Dr. Tracey recounts the day he gave a talk to a gathering of scientists on the subject of the vagus nerve, notable because the Dalai Lama was present. The Dalai Lama deeply believes in the spiritual tenets of Tibetan Buddhism and does not believe they are in contradiction to science. In fact, a great supporter of scientific inquiry, the Dalai Lama maintains that he will change any tenet disproved through scientific inquiry.
At the end of Dr. Tracey's summary, the Dalai Lama raised his hand to pose some questions to the eminent researcher.
"Where is the vagus nerve located in the body?" he asked.
"The vagus nerve," Dr. Tracey explained, "originates at the brain stem and runs through your head and chest into your abdomen."
The Dalai Lama nodded, "Does it run through the front or back of the body?"
"It runs through the front of your body," Dr. Tracey answered.
"And is there one or two vagus nerves?"
"There are two vagus nerves," Dr. Tracey answered, "running down the right and left sides of your body."
Smiling, the Dalai Lama nodded, then stood and departed.
Why the Dalai Lama Smiled
After stepping out from behind the lectern and down off the stage, Dr. Tracey was met by two smiling monks in bright orange robes.
"Do you know why the Dalai Lama asked you those questions?" they asked.
"Why?" asked Dr. Tracey.
"Because in Tibetan Buddhism we have a meditation wherein we visualize two blue lines of energy running through the front of our body from head to abdomen."
Ancient Practice, Modern Science
Though the gut-brain connection was only recognized by Western science in the last couple of decades and only received mainstream acceptance recently, it has been a part of Eastern practice for a couple of thousand years. While Western thought has long favoured the top-down model of the brain controlling the body, the truth is turning out to be quite the opposite. Your gut controls your brain. Your thoughts and moods are governed not by what goes on in your head, but by what goes on in your gut.
You Are What You Eat
No longer is what you put on your plate only of consequence to your physical health and waistline; it is responsible for your mental health, mood, and performance in every aspect of life.
"You are what you eat" is no longer just a pithy aphorism; it is a prophecy that cannot be ignored. Your destiny is defined by what you choose to put on your plate.
