Ben Greenfield—biohacker, athlete, and human optimization expert—recently got his hands (and ears) on a game-changing device from Hoolest Performance Technologies called VeRelief. What started as a deep-dive podcast interview with Dr. Nick Hool, founder and biomedical engineer behind Hoolest, quickly turned into a live testimonial of just how powerful this little device really is.
Here’s the breakdown of Ben’s experience, the science behind it, and why he now uses VeRelief as part of his daily routine.
From Performance Anxiety to Neuromodulation Innovation
Nick Hool’s journey began with personal struggles—debilitating performance anxiety as a competitive golfer. Traditional mental techniques like positive affirmations and meditation weren’t cutting it. So instead of staying on the sidelines, he pursued a PhD in biomedical engineering to build the tool he wished existed.
Through years of research, experimentation, and a few burned eardrums along the way, Nick discovered the secret: a high-powered, targeted form of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) just under the ear that triggers an immediate parasympathetic (relaxation) response.
That’s how VeRelief was born.
What Makes VeRelief Different?
Ben has seen (and tested) just about every wellness device on the market—but VeRelief stood out for one reason: it works fast.
Here’s what impressed him most:
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Rapid Onset Calm: Ben described the effects as comparable to having a glass of wine and smoking a joint—without any cognitive impairment. His HRV went up, heart rate dropped, and stress melted away in under two minutes.
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Sleep Enhancement: Though Hoolest hasn’t yet done formal sleep studies, Ben swears VeRelief shortens his sleep latency. Using it for just two minutes on each side of the neck before bed helps him wind down faster.
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Portable and Powerful: About a quarter the size of a phone, VeRelief fits in your pocket but delivers up to 8x the current of traditional CES units. You crank it up to your comfort level and feel immediate relief.
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Multi-Use Modes: The higher-end VeRelief Prime includes five preset waveforms targeting state anxiety, panic, performance, stress, and sleep. It can also be used for headaches (via trigeminal nerve stimulation) and nausea (via the median nerve).
Clinical-Grade Results Without the Clinic
Ben was especially impressed by the rigorous research backing VeRelief. In placebo-controlled trials, users with PTSD and panic disorders showed a 31% increase in HRV and a 36% drop in state anxiety—statistically outperforming breathwork and even matching results seen with benzodiazepines.
The placebo group showed no change in HRV, which made the impact of the active stimulation crystal clear.
Now, Hoolest Goes Hands-Free
Toward the end of the podcast, Nick dropped a bombshell: Hoolest is working on a wearable version of VeRelief, seamlessly integrated into a pair of headphones. It targets both sides of the vagus nerve simultaneously—doubling the sensation and boosting effectiveness. You can use it during red light therapy, meditation, flights, or before bed. Ben was floored and immediately said, “I’ll be a customer as soon as it’s ready.”
The Bottom Line
Ben Greenfield now counts Hoolest’s VeRelief as part of his essential toolkit. Whether it's for pre-sleep relaxation, post-workout recovery, or calming the mind before public speaking, the device checks all the boxes: portable, effective, research-backed, and instantly gratifying.
"I've been underutilizing this thing," Ben admitted. "I didn’t even realize all the features and use cases—this is incredible."
If you’re looking for a powerful way to control stress on demand—without drugs, apps, or meditation marathons—VeRelief is the real deal.
Ready to try it?
Ben’s full interview and exclusive links can be found at BenGreenfieldLife.com/holpodcast.
Hoolest may have just made biohacking stress as easy as flipping a switch.