Mental Performance
A Biomedical Engineer Built a 30- Second “Off Switch” for Panic
Pills and meditation couldn't fix his performance anxiety. So he spent a PhD finding the nerve that controls fight-or-flight — and a drug-free way to shut it off.
By the Editorial Team · Updated June 2026 · 5 min read
VeRelief Prime, a handheld vagus nerve stimulator designed by Dr. Nicholas Hool, founder of Hoolest.
Nick Hool was a competitive golfer with a problem he couldn't out-practice. The moment he stepped to the first tee, his heart slammed and his mind went blank — and medications, mindfulness, and other devices couldn't solve it.
So he earned a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Arizona State University to study what anxiety looks like inside the body — and whether there was a drug-free way to switch it off fast.
“
“I created VeRelief to solve my own issues with performance anxiety.”
Nick Hool, Ph.D.
Founder of Hoolest · Creator of VeRelief
He kept returning to one nerve: the vagus nerve , the master switch of your “rest-and- digest” system. Stimulate the right branch and a body stuck in fight-or-flight downshifts toward calm. The catch: breathing and meditation are slow — you can't do a body scan mid-panic at your desk.
The idea — a handheld reset button
A pocket-sized device that sends a gentle, high-dose signal to the vagus nerve along the neck. Press it for a few minutes. No pills, no prescription, no app.
It won $100,000 at the 2018 ASU Innovation Open, with electrode research developed in the context of DARPA's Targeted Neuroplasticity Training program . The team then spent over $700,000 on safety and clinical testing before selling a single unit.
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Drug-free · No prescription · 60-day money-back guarantee
Rated 4.6–4.7★ by verified customers · Featured on ESPN Films · HSA/FSA eligible
“I thought my brain was just broken”
That's how one user described arriving at the device. The category is full of hype, and researchers rightly urge skepticism. So the interesting evidence is what happened when skeptics measured themselves — in Hoolest's placebo-controlled studies:
36%
reduction in state-anxiety after one session vs 18% placebo
31%
increase in HRV vs 0% in the sham group
100%
of active users rated the session “relaxing” vs 33% sham
Source: Hoolest IRB-approved, placebo-controlled studies (n=18 and n=24). Individual results vary.
“I know a lot of things we see are snake oil but this is no joke… my HRV average is usually 30. Day 10 I wake up to 108.”
— Ryan, Verified Reviewer
A physician who uses it with patients put it plainly: “The medications do not get you out of fight-or-flight. They just mask it.”
VeRelief is a general-wellness device. It is not FDA-cleared and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for medical care. Always consult a qualified health professional. Individual results vary.
What people use it for
Across thousands of reviews the same moments recur: stopping a spiral before a meeting, falling asleep when the mind won't quiet, and getting through a panic wave without reaching for pills.
“When I started spiraling, it just… stopped. I could be present and get my work done without 30+ minutes of recuperation.”
— Xander, New York · Verified Purchase
“I've never fallen asleep so
fast in my life. 3 minutes
before bed and I'm out.”
— Sara J. · Verified Purchase
Why it's different
No app, no Bluetooth, no setup. It just turns on and works.
Felt, not faint. High-dose stimulation you actually notice, with five modes — Worry, Sleep, Stress, Focus, Panic.
A real risk reversal. A 60-day money-back guarantee: “If it doesn't calm you down on your first use, send it back.”
It also costs a fraction of the premium clinical devices it's compared to — many of which run $325 to $700. VeRelief Prime is currently around $159.
Try VeRelief Prime Risk-Free
From $159 · 60-day money-back guarantee · Free U.S. shipping
19,000+ customers · Used by 1,000+ first responders · Designed by biomedical engineers
Rated 4.7/5 - over 19,879+ customers
Drug-Free Instant Calm.
The only handheld vagus nerve stimulator that delivers clinically proven calm in as little as 30 seconds - for the world outside your living room.
What's included
- VeRelief Prime
- 2 pairs of gel tips included in box at delivery
- 5 modes: Worry, Sleep, Stress, Performance & Panic
- Fast relief from stress & panic in under 60 seconds
- 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Stress Protection Plan – $11/mo
- 2 pairs (4 gels) delivered monthly
- Lifetime warranty on your device
- Cancel anytime – no commitment
Stress Protection plan billed on day 30 after purchase.
Cancel before day 30, no questions asked.
What's included
- VeRelief Prime
- 24 Pairs of Gel Tips, 12-month supply
- 5 modes: Worry, Sleep, Stress, Performance & Panic
- 60-Day Money Back Guarantee
- 1 Year Warranty, Free Shipping
30-Day Money Back Guarantee. Cancel anytime.
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The bottom line: a gadget won't fix your life. But if you've tried the apps, the breathing, and the pills and still get hijacked by stress, a drug-free reset you can carry in your pocket — backed by a 60-day guarantee — is a low-risk thing to test.
Advertisement. This is sponsored content. “The Daily Reset” is a promotional landing page, not a news publication. Statements about VeRelief have not been evaluated by the FDA. VeRelief is a low-risk, general-wellness product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Customer testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not typical results; individual results will vary. Study figures refer to small placebo-controlled studies and case studies conducted by Hoolest and do not constitute proof of medical efficacy or FDA clearance. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new wellness practice, especially if you have a medical condition or use a pacemaker or other implanted device. © 2026 Hoolest Inc. Prices and offers subject to change; confirm current pricing at hoolest.com.