Can Vagus Nerve Stimulation Enhance Calm Focus? A Closer Look at the Data
In the world of overstimulation and constant mental noise, a new kind of focus is emerging—not the jittery, caffeine-driven kind, but a calm, centered awareness. Imagine standing on top of a quiet mountain at sunrise—present, alert, and fully in control. This is the kind of focus we believe VeRelief can help unlock.
VeRelief is a portable, pocket-sized vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device designed to be used several times per day with zero friction. No wires, no Bluetooth, no messy gel paste. Just press a button, apply the smooth gel tips below your ear, and feel the shift. In just three minutes, users often report a calm clarity—an anchored focus ideal for deep work, presentations, or navigating high-pressure moments.
But the big question is: does the science back this up? We ran a large-scale physiological experiment to find out.
The Experiment
We tested VeRelief's effect on the autonomic nervous system by measuring pupil size before, during, and after left-side auricular vagus nerve stimulation at the tympanomastoid fissure. Pupil diameter is a powerful biomarker of autonomic arousal and cognitive engagement.
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Left Pupil (LPMM): Targeted stimulation side
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Right Pupil (RPMM): Contralateral control indicator
Measurements were taken from over 11,000 paired data points during each phase (Baseline, Stimulation, Post-Stimulation).
Results: Left Pupil (LPMM)
| Condition | LPMM (mm) | p-value | Effect Size (Cohen's d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | 4.23 | ||
| Stimulation | 4.27 | 1.61e-71 | 0.17 |
| Change | +0.044 | ||
| Post-Stimulation | 4.25 | 9.62e-12 | 0.06 |
| Change | +0.022 |
Interpretation:
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The left pupil dilated modestly during stimulation and remained slightly elevated post-stimulation.
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These changes were statistically significant with a small but real physiological effect.
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This reflects a calm form of activation rather than hyperarousal—consistent with increased parasympathetic tone and heightened presence.
Results: Right Pupil (RPMM)
| Condition | RPMM (mm) | p-value | Effect Size (Cohen's d) |
| Baseline | 4.33 | ||
| Stimulation | 4.22 | 2.30e-259 | -0.33 |
| Change | -0.107 | ||
| Post-Stimulation | 4.31 | 2.56e-06 | -0.04 |
| Change | -0.019 |
Interpretation:
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The right pupil constricted significantly during stimulation and began returning to baseline post-stimulation.
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This asymmetry suggests cross-hemispheric autonomic regulation, reinforcing that the vagus nerve's impact is both real and centrally integrated.
Discussion: Why the Pupil Response Matters
| Observation | Possible Explanation | Neurophysiological Mechanism |
| Left pupil (LPMM) dilated during stimulation | Afferent vagus stimulation may increase attention and awareness via brainstem and cortical pathways | NTS activation → locus coeruleus + Edinger-Westphal modulation → pupil dilation |
| Left pupil remained elevated post-stimulation | Parasympathetic tone or delayed cortical reset may sustain the calm-focus state | Residual activation of central autonomic network |
| Right pupil (RPMM) constricted during stim | Contralateral compensation or inhibitory signaling may drive reflexive pupil constriction | Brainstem integration leads to cross-side parasympathetic response |
| Right pupil returned to baseline post-stim | Stimulation effects are transient; autonomic homeostasis resumes | VNS input ceases → baseline ANS control resumes |
Calm Focus, On Demand
This data strongly suggests that VeRelief reliably modulates autonomic balance in a way that supports calm focus:
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It's not a stimulant. It doesn't jack up your system or crash you later.
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It's a reset button for your nervous system that leaves you steady, alert, and in control.
And unlike traditional solutions (coffee, pills, meditation, breathwork), VeRelief was built for modern life:
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Portable. Frictionless. Immediate.
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No setup. No mess. No training.
As Dr. Nicholas Hool would frame it:
"What’s the value of being fully calm and focused on command—anywhere, anytime, in under 3 minutes? If you're selling clarity, confidence, and control—VeRelief makes that outcome effortless."
Final Thoughts
Whether you're preparing for a big pitch, calming your system before a flight, or simply trying to lock into flow, VeRelief offers a science-backed tool for modern mental performance.
This isn’t hype. It’s data-backed calm. And it fits in your pocket.