Sleep
A Biomedical Engineer Built a 30-Second “Off Switch” for a Racing Mind at Night
Pills and melatonin couldn’t quiet his mind at bedtime. So he spent a PhD finding the nerve that flips your body into “rest” mode — and a drug-free way to switch it on in seconds.
Nick Hool knew the feeling of a mind that wouldn’t shut off. Lights out, body exhausted — and still his heart raced and his thoughts kept spinning. 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 an overactive nervous system does to the body — and whether there was a drug-free way to switch it into rest mode fast.
He kept returning to one nerve: the vagus nerve, the master switch of your “rest-and-digest” system. Stimulate the right branch and a wired body downshifts toward sleep. The catch: breathing and meditation are slow — and counting sheep doesn’t work when your mind is sprinting.
The idea — a bedtime 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 before bed. 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.
Rated 4.6–4.7★ by verified customers · Featured on ESPN Films · HSA/FSA eligible
“I thought I’d never sleep normally again”
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 restless skeptics measured themselves — in Hoolest’s placebo-controlled studies:
36%
drop in state-anxiety after one session, vs 18% placebo (n=18)
31%
rise in heart-rate variability, vs 0% in the sham group
100%
of active participants rated it “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.”
A physician who recommends it put it plainly: “The medications do not get you out of fight-or-flight. They just mask it” — and a body still in fight-or-flight doesn’t sleep well.
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: quieting the mind at bedtime, falling back asleep at 3 a.m., and finally getting rest without reaching for pills.
“I’ve never fallen asleep so fast in my life. 3 minutes before bed and I’m out.”
“3 minutes per side before bed and I simply go to sleep, without the thought-drumbeat running through my head.”
Why it’s different
A dedicated Sleep mode. One of five modes — Sleep, Worry, Stress, Focus, Panic — tuned to quiet the mind at bedtime.
No app, no Bluetooth, no setup. It just turns on and works — reach for it in the dark without unlocking a phone.
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.
19,000+ customers · Used by 1,000+ first responders · Designed by biomedical engineers
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 everything. But if you’ve tried the melatonin, the sleep apps, and the breathing and still lie awake with a mind that won’t quiet, a drug-free reset you can keep on the nightstand — 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.