The Genius Life 537: How to Reset Your Nervous System, Heal Chronic Inflammation, and Tame Autoimmunity | Kevin Tracey, MD
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Dec 29, 2025 
Dr. Kevin Tracey, a renowned neurosurgeon and vagus nerve researcher, shares insights on how the nervous system oversees inflammation and its implications for autoimmune diseases. He emphasizes the significance of understanding the vagus nerve beyond popular wellness trends. Tracey discusses several fascinating topics, including the complex interplay between breathing and heart rate, potential therapies for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, and the body's neural network's role in mental health. His groundbreaking work could reshape future treatments for autoimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Vagus Nerve Is A Complex Reflex Network
- The vagus nerve is two nerves with ~200,000 fibers that run from brain to organs and mediate reflexes maintaining homeostasis.
- Each fiber has specific signals and jobs, so “stimulate the vagus” is overly simplistic.
Most Vagus Signals Travel Upward
- ~80% of vagus fibers carry sensory information from organs to the brain, not commands from brain to body.
- This organ→brain signaling underlies reflexes that detect and regulate inflammation.
An Inflammation Reflex Controlled By Vagus
- The brain detects cytokines via vagus sensory signals and can trigger vagal outputs that reduce inflammation.
- This ancient reflex has been harnessed in implanted devices treating rheumatoid arthritis.