By Nick Hool, Ph.D. | Biomedical Engineer
If you're trying to reset your nervous system, the vagus nerve is the master switch.
Stimulate it right—and you can exit fight-or-flight, calm down instantly, and regain control of your physiology.
Stimulate it wrong—or worse, not at all—and you stay trapped in the stress cycle. Wired. Foggy. Always reacting.
That’s where most people screw up.
They buy cheap TENS machines off Amazon, clip them to their ears, and hope for the best.
Let’s break down how to actually use a TENS unit for vagus nerve stimulation—then I’ll show you why that’s the slow lane… and how VeRelief is a shortcut to calm.
Step-by-Step: How to Use a TENS Unit for Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Using a TENS unit for vagus nerve stimulation is like taking the scenic route to relaxation.
Here’s how it works:
🔧 What You’ll Need:
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A TENS device with adjustable frequency
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Alcohol wipes or saline solution
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Electrode gel (yes, it’s messy)
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Optional: Self-adhesive electrode pads
📍 Where to Stimulate:
There are multiple stimulation points on the ear—because you're trying to reach the auricular branch of the vagus nerve:
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A: Inner tragus
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B: Anterior/posterior ear canal
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C: Cymba concha
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D: Cavum concha
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E: Earlobe (used more for CES, not ideal for vagus)
⚙️ How to Set It Up:
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Clip the red lead to one ear electrode, black lead to the same clip or a reference electrode.
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Clean the skin with alcohol or saline.
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Apply electrode gel (or wet the area with saline) to improve conductivity.
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Attach the clip to your chosen vagus nerve point—tragus or concha are most common.
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Set the device manually:
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Pulse width: 200 microseconds
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Frequency: 25Hz for vagus stimulation
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Duration: 15–30 minutes per session
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Start from ZERO and increase intensity until it’s noticeable, but not uncomfortable.
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Use it twice daily for at least two weeks.
Yes. You read that right: twice a day. For weeks. To maybe feel a bit less stressed.
Alternative Placements (If You’re Feeling Adventurous):
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Behind the shoulder blade using a sticky pad
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Earlobe-only setup (used for cranial electrotherapy stimulation, not ideal for vagus)
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Forehead pads for trigeminal nerve stimulation (a completely different pathway)
In short, the TENS unit tries to brute-force results. It’s slow, clunky, and inconvenient.
The Brutal Truth: Why You Shouldn’t Rely on a TENS Unit for Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Let’s make one thing clear:
TENS machines are built to be cheap—not effective.
They’re fine for muscle pain. Not for nervous system transformation.
Here’s a head-to-head breakdown of TENS vs. VeRelief:
| Feature | TENS Unit | VeRelief |
|---|---|---|
| Time per session | 15–60 min, 2x/day | 3 min total |
| Time to feel effect | After 2 weeks | First session |
| Stimulation site | Small branch inside the ear | Large branch below the ear |
| Gel required? | Yes, wet paste or saline | No gel, no mess |
| Design | Wires, clips, bulky | Wireless, pocket-sized |
| Comfort | Pinches your ear | Feels like a gentle tap |
| Build quality | Cheap, no support | FDA-grade, full customer care |
| Convenience | Hassle every time | Tap and go |
Here’s the Gut-Punch:
If you're stressed out, burned out, or feel like you’ve been stuck in overdrive for years…
Do you really have 60 minutes a day to fiddle with wires and gel clips hoping something kicks in?
Or do you want a tool that actually resets your nervous system now—with clinical-grade results and no extra hassle?
Why VeRelief Is the Upgrade Your Nervous System Deserves
VeRelief isn’t a toy. It’s not a knockoff. It’s a category-defining vagus nerve stimulator engineered by biomedical professionals.
It’s:
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Pocket-sized
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FDA quality
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Zero discomfort
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Clinically proven
We built it because we were tired of the DIY hacks that took forever and barely worked.
3 minutes. No wires. No gel. Just relief.
Final Word: You Get What You Pay For
You could spend $40 on a TENS unit, spend 30 minutes every day with gel dripping down your neck, and wait two weeks to feel a mild difference…
Or you could invest once in VeRelief, and feel the shift in under 180 seconds—anytime, anywhere.
Stress steals your time. VeRelief gives it back.
🧠 Want to Try the Real Thing?
Click here to learn more about VeRelief →
Your nervous system deserves more than a cheap gadget.
It deserves VeRelief.
Disclaimer: VeRelief is a wellness device. It is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your healthcare provider if you have underlying health concerns.