In partnership with

Hello there, 

Can gently stimulating a nerve in your ear help your body grow new blood vessels?

That nerve is the vagus nerve—the longest cranial nerve—linking the brain to major organs like the heart, lungs, and gut. It helps regulate inflammation, circulation, and the body’s recovery processes, which is why stimulating it has become a focus of health research.

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS)—a technique that delivers small electrical pulses to the vagus nerve through the skin of the ear or neck—is now being studied for its potential to improve circulation and promote recovery.

Reviews published in Neuroscience (2025) and Frontiers in Neuroscience (2024) highlight how nVNS can activate the body’s built-in repair pathways. These include reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, protecting vessel health, and—most intriguingly—stimulating angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels.

According to these reviews, stimulating the vagus nerve does much more than calm the nervous system. It sets off a cascade of chemical signals—like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—that help repair tissue and encourage blood vessels to sprout and grow.

What the Study Found

Here’s what the researchers focused on for nVNS:

• Triggers new blood vessel growth, angiogenesis. Animal studies show that auricular and cervical nVNS increase VEGF, eNOS, and BDNF in the brain—signals that promote the growth of new capillaries and improve blood flow.

• Supports brain recovery after stroke. Both animal studies and early clinical trials link nVNS to better motor recovery, swallowing, and quality of life—likely aided by new vessel growth and improved circulation.

• Protects and repairs blood vessels. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, nVNS helps stabilize the vascular system, supporting both existing and newly forming vessels.

• Safe and non-invasive. Delivered through the skin of the ear or neck, nVNS is already FDA-approved for other conditions and has been well-tolerated in studies.

Why This Matters

This research suggests that something as simple as non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation could one day help guide how our blood vessels grow and repair themselves.

Better blood vessel growth and function can:

• Restore oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue after stroke

• Improve circulation and support overall vascular health

• Protect against long-term cardiovascular and metabolic disease

• Enhance resilience and energy with aging

And while more studies are needed, especially in people beyond stroke recovery, the potential is exciting: a safe, non-invasive tool that taps into the body’s own healing pathways

Want a practical place to start?

Download our free guide featuring three simple, everyday habits that gently stimulate your vagus nerve—and may help support healthy circulation from the inside out.

Stay connected with us to receive the latest on evidence-based research, advancements in healthcare, and practical tips.

Best wishes,
- The Angiogenesis Foundation

P.S. Like what you’re reading? Support our mission to advance research and share science-backed health insights.

Make a donation to the Angiogenesis Foundation today.

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Subscribe to 1440 today.