Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Patients With Stress-Related Psychiatric Disorders and Addictions

J. Douglas Bremner, MD

Citation

Bremner, J.D. (2023). Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Patients With Stress-Related Psychiatric Disorders and Addictions. J Health Serv Psychol 49(3), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42843-023-00089-6

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent disorder that is often linked to addictions due to common links in childhood trauma and efforts at self-medication. Treatments for PTSD including medications have limitations due to side effects and imperfect efficacy. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a non-pharmacological alternative approach that targets the excessive sympathetic and inflammatory conditions that characterize the neurobiology of the disorder. These properties of VNS also lend themselves to the treatment of addictions, such as with opioid withdrawal. This paper provides an overview of VNS for stress-related psychiatric disorders and addictions with a focus on new non-invasive forms of VNS that have the potential to have widespread application to psychiatry due to lower cost and increased convenience.

Continuing education course available on CE.NationalRegister.org

The National Register of Health Service Psychologists is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The National Register maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

The National Register of Health Service Psychologists is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0010