STEM-Talk

Episode 179: JP Errico explains how vagus-nerve stimulation reduces inflammation and chronic diseases

Mar 5, 2025

JP Errico, a scientist and inventor specializing in neuroimmunology, discusses his groundbreaking work on vagus nerve stimulation. He shares insights into how this technique can significantly reduce inflammation and alleviate chronic diseases. JP delves into the intricate connections between the nervous and immune systems, linking autonomic regulation to mental health and aging. His innovative approach aims to create non-invasive solutions for serious health issues, showcasing the transformative power of lifestyle choices on overall well-being.

01:16:43

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JP Errico

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Quick takeaways

JP Errico's educational journey was profoundly influenced by early exposure to advanced mathematics and quality science education, shaping his future pursuits in engineering and neuroimmunology.

His personal motivation to explore neuroimmunology stemmed from his sister's multiple sclerosis diagnosis, driving his research on the vagus nerve's impact on immune response and chronic disease prevention.

Errico's work emphasizes the transformative potential of vagus nerve stimulation in enhancing mental well-being and managing inflammation, with future implications for cognitive function and overall health.

Deep dives

Early Academic Influences

J.P. Errico's academic journey began with a notable influence from his grandparents, who played an active role in his education. At a young age, he demonstrated exceptional skills in math, prompting his school to hire a retired college professor to teach advanced mathematics for a group of gifted students. This fortunate opportunity allowed him to take several advanced math courses during high school. Such early exposure to quality education significantly shaped his future academic endeavors and laid the groundwork for his interests in the sciences and engineering.

Intro

3min

Journey Through Education and Innovation

15min

Exploring Neuroimmunology: The Body's Interconnected Systems

8min

Innovative Solutions for Anaphylactic Reactions through Vagus Nerve Stimulation

3min

Unlocking the Vagus Nerve: Innovations in Health

28min

Balancing Stress and Health: The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System

2min

Unlocking Health: The Vagus Nerve Connection

18min

Today we have JP Errico, a scientist and inventor whose work focuses on neuroimmunology and the many ways it impacts cellular metabolism, inflammation, mental health and how we age. He recently joined IHMC as a Senior Research Scientist.

JP is particularly known for his research on vagus-nerve stimulation and is the author of the book, The Vagus-Immune Connection: Harness Your Vagus Nerve to Manage Stress, Prevent Immune Dysregulation, and Avoid Chronic Disease. He also is the co-host of the podcast, The Health Upgrade.

JP has more than 250 patents and is the founder of ElectroCore, a company that specializes in neuromodulation and noninvasive vagus-nerve stimulation. He has an undergraduate degree in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked at Lincoln Laboratories. JP also holds graduate degrees in both law and mechanical/materials engineering from Duke University.

Show notes:

[00:03:08] Tim opens our interview mentioning that as a child JP was focused on both sports and academics.

[00:04:50] Tim talks about how hard it is to find quality math and science education today similar to what JP experienced at his high school.

[00:05:16] Tim asks JP what it was that led him to pursue an undergraduate degree at MIT.

[00:05:53] Tim asks if it was always JP’s plan to go into aeronautical engineering.

[00:07:22] Tim mentions that as a kid, JP would scour bookstores and libraries for textbooks on physics and quantum mechanics and asks JP if there were any books that particularly inspired him.

[00:10:12] Ken mentions that after MIT, JP went to Duke University where he pursued mechanical engineering and also went to law school. Given this workload, Ken asks if JP ever had any free time while studying at Duke.

[00:13:26] Tim mentions that while JP was in law school, he got a job at a patent firm. After obtaining his law degree, JP’s uncle called and offered JP an opportunity.

[00:17:42] Tim explains that JP’s career has focused on neuroimmunology, or the study of how the nervous system and immune system interact. Neuroimmunology affects a wide range of health factors including inflammation, mental health and aging. Tim also explains that JP has recently authored a book on neuroimmunology titled “The Vagus Immune Connection: Harness Your Vagus Nerve to Manage Stress, Prevent Immune Dysregulation and Avoid Chronic Disease.” Tim asks JP to touch on the key features of neuroimmunology that people should be aware of.

[00:21:59] Tim asks JP to touch on the epigenetic factors regarding neuroimmunology.

[00:25:01] Since JP brought up Dr. Kevin Tracey’s work, Ken mentions that Kevin was recently interviewed on STEM-Talk episode 172 and encourages listeners to listen to that episode for more context on the vagus nerve and neuroimmunology.

[00:25:48] JP talks about how he stumbled upon the idea of how stimulating a nerve may have the same clinical benefit that sometimes occurs as a result of cutting a nerve.

[00:28:16] Tim talks about the unintended consequences he observed as surgeon when he cut a patient’s vagus nerve.

[00:30:50] Ken mentions that another area where JP has had impact with respect to stimulating the vagus nerve is the treatment of asthma and asks JP to talk about his findings in this area.

[00:40:10] Tim notes that after JP knew that non-invasive approaches to vagus-nerve stimulation were possible, he went on to optimize a delivery device. These efforts resulted in a device called gamaCore. Tim asks JP to talk about this device and how it works.

[00:43:27] Tim asks JP to talk about what it feels like for patients to have their vagus nerve stimulated.

[00:44:50] Ken asks if JP thinks that his and others’ work in vagus-nerve stimulation inspired the development of similar devices for orthopedic pain, where the device is implanted near the nerve on the knee or other area experiencing pain.

[00:50:41] Tim starts a conversation about a program at DARPA called Targeted Neuroplasticity Training, or TNT, which investigated ways to stimulate the nervous system to treat various conditions like pain and phantom pain. Before jumping into that topic, however, JP discusses depression and how inflammation and the vagus nerve play a part in serotonin and melatonin production.

[00:55:39] Ken asks JP why stimulating the vagus nerve has such a breadth of applications and benefits.

[01:01:57] Given the success of vagus-nerve stimulation in affecting a wide variety of health outcomes as well as improving learning, there are many individuals interested in trying vagus-nerve stimulation for themselves. Tim asks JP what advice he has for people looking to try vagus-nerve stimulation.

[01:09:39] Tim notes that in his use of various vagus-nerve stimulation devices in studies he has conducted, there are varying outcomes. Given this, Tim asks JP what devices he recommends.

[01:11:50] Ken asks JP to talk about the development of the Truvaga device.

[01:13:47] Ken closes our interview mentioning again JP’s book, “The Vagus Immune Connection: Harness Your Vagus Nerve to Manage Stress, Prevent Immune Dysregulation and Avoid Chronic Disease,” and encourages listeners to check it out.

Links:

Learn more about IHMC

STEM-Talk homepage

Ken Ford bio

Ken Ford Wikipedia page

Tim Broderick bio

JP Errico bio