09/04/2026
Could supporting your nervous system help protect your memory?
New research* is exploring how stimulating the vagus nerve may support brain health — particularly a region linked to memory, focus, and stress regulation, and one of the first areas affected in Alzheimer’s disease.
The vagus nerve is central to the body’s “rest and digest” response, helping shift us out of stress and into repair.
In Bowen Therapy, this principle is foundational.
A specific vagus nerve procedure, along with all Bowen moves, aims to calm the sympathetic nervous system and support parasympathetic balance — creating the conditions for the body to reset.
As science continues to explore these connections — including their potential role in conditions like Alzheimer’s — it’s a powerful reminder:
Supporting the nervous system supports the whole person.
* Elizabeth Riley, Lecturer in Psychology, Cornell University
