The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body and is a direct link between the body and brain. This two-way communication system underlies our awareness of where we are in space, our balance and our hearing, as well as our emotional stability. It delivers motor signals to muscles that control swallowing, breathing, and the vocal cords, and, as such, influences our speech. It also plays a role in recovery from brain injury due to its direct influence on inflammatory responses. To learn more, click read my article The Power of the Vagus Nerve: Renewal, Regeneration, and Connection.