Join me while I explore the world of the vagus nerve and how to increase vagal tone without spending money or needing to see a doctor. Did you know your body’s nervous system is orchestrated by the body’s conductor known as the vagus nerve? Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is how the vagal tone is measured and you can learn to increase it and become more stress resistant.
Episode 011 - Inner Voice
The experience of having a “little voice” after my sudden cardiac arrest had me wondering what the connection was and how it all worked. My curiousity keeps me asking questions and searching for answers on how the body works and when it doesn’t…why not?
The body electrical is amazing and your nervous system is keeping your stress levels in check…or are they? I learned I had twice the voltage than my husband did. I tell you the story and why I bring it up. What did this mean in the scheme of things? I share my story with my doctor and why.
Want to learn more about heart rate variability? There’s a free class on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) on Heart Math that you can take to learn more.
Heart Rate Variability Basics Physiological Mechanisms and Assessments
By HeartMath Institute with Rollin McCraty, Ph.D.
Course includes 8 Modules (2 hrs. 13 mins.) and 3 Resources.
The vagus nerve has an accelerator (glutamate) and a brake (GABA) that indicates excitement or calmness of the nervous system. To much glutamate and the result is hyperactivity and the opposite is GABA, the brake of the nervous system, which has a calming effect that lowers blood pressure.
The drug Xanax enhances the effects of GABA and is prescribed for anxiety due to its calming properties but the person can build a tolerance which causes a dependence. This drug has a very addictive potential and is very difficult to wean off and should only be done so with a medical professional and tapered extremely slowly.
Learn now to enhance your GABA naturally by humming, singing, praying aloud, chanting, talking or playing a wind instrument. The vibrations of your voice box stimulates the vagus nerve and the GABA levels, hence calming your nervous system. I can’t sing, it’s not one of my talents. Instead I hum and I make up my own songs, it brings me joy and I think my husband gets a bit of a kick out of hearing me hum. It beats complaining any day.
The Science of Coherence™
Why Does Coherence Matter?
One’s ability to self-regulate the quality of feeling and emotion of one’s moment-to-moment experience influences our physiology and the reciprocal interactions between physiological, cognitive, and emotional systems. Self-induced positive emotions is reflected in the pattern of one’s heart’s rhythm, which in turn increases the coherence in bodily processes. This shift in the heart rhythm plays an important role in facilitating higher cognitive functions, creating emotional flexibility, and facilitating social connectedness. — Heart Math
I discuss how vitamins and mineral deficiencies can be behind histamine intolerance and why. How does copper and zinc figure in the health puzzle? High copper could be why I had twice the voltage. I had extreme zinc deficiencies growing up and never realized it was why I had deep horizontal ridges in my thumbnails, known as Beau Lines.
Essential Oils and Parkinson’s Disease
Today I learn more about how GABA is related to Parkinson’s Disease and how it’s related to essential oils. Join me as I explore some new information on how essential oils can make a difference for you. I learn this and a lot more from “Dr. Z.” and “Mama Z.” in their book (see the link below).
Nutrient Deficiencies and Histamine Intolerance
How can nutrient deficiencies affect histamine? Understanding how vitamins and minerals work to provide the building blocks for making DAO which “mops up” excessive histamine. I reference Dr. Becky Campbell’s book as I learn about the sixth cause of histamine intolerance today. (see the link for her book below)
I talk about my experience with deficiency with B6 and how it effects DAO as well as copper levels. The mistake most people make is thinking one vitamin is the “cure”. Our bodies need vitamins in the right form, the proper balance of minerals such as copper and enough enzymes to help you break down your food and assimilate your nutrients.
What about pregnancy and histamine, is there a difference between before and after pregnancy and does this affect you? Did you know that birth control pills will lower your B6 and supplementation is recommended. Processed foods will lower levels of B6 in your body.
Certain polymorphisms or genetic mutations known as SNPs can affect your ability to assimilate and/or use the nutrients you should be getting from your food. Other avenues of delivery may be optimal for you. During my healing journey I used sublingual drops.
The Buck Stops Here
Our first snowfall last winter brought a young fawn to our backyard. I thought initially it was a buck but later I realized it was a young doe. She made herself right at home. She would have come into the house if I hadn’t closed the door in time. I didn’t encourage too much interaction, after all she’s supposed to be a wild animal. I suspected someone had been feeding her.
We saw her again this summer with two young fawns of her own. Seeing her again with her own offspring, made me smile. It warmed my heart but I wasn’t exactly happy that they dined on my Hostas out front for breakfast that morning. I knew it was her because in the 17 years we’ve lived here that was the first time a deer has eaten any of my Hostas out of our yard. Oh, they enjoyed my flowers in my front garden as well. I wasn’t to upset but I hope they don’t make it a regular habit. I like my flowers too!
Books Mentioned on the Podcast Episode
The Essential Oils Apothecary: Advanced Strategies and Protocols for Chronic Disease and Conditions
Extracted directly from the bark, flowers, leaves, resins, and roots of plants, essential oils are highly concentrated plant-based chemical compounds that have been the basis for natural medicine for thousands of years. Whether you apply them topically, ingest them, or diffuse them in the air, they are scientifically proven to work on the body’s physiology gently and quickly, which is why more and more people living with chronic conditions—from insomnia, hypertension, and fibromyalgia to Parkinson’s, epilepsy, insulin resistance, cancer, and even Alzheimer’s disease—are reaching for them as a complementary therapy.
Drawing on their authoritative understanding of these powerful concentrations and their mastery of DIY usage, Dr. Eric and Sabrina Ann Zielinski share more than 150 research-backed and easy-to-prepare topical recipes, capsule remedies, and diffusions that work to combat the root causes of all disease: stress, anxiety, and systemic inflammation. Using oils from more than 70 aromatic plants—from copaiba and lemongrass to turmeric and ylang ylang—their healing formulations include:
• Earthy Wood Inhaler, the perfect way to bring nature inside—“forest bathing” on demand!
• Immune-Boosting Diffuser Blend, to help protect your body against airborne pathogens.
• IBD Synergy Capsules, a gentle mixture of coriander, Melissa, and peppermint to soothe and promote gut health
• Extra-Strength Bone and Joint Salve, powerful pain relief that uses CBD, frankincense, lavender and wintergreen.
• Sensual Body Spray, an alluring scent to help spice up your love life!
Easy to prepare and apply, these time-tested recipes and protocols will help you take control of your health and start to enjoy the abundant life again!
For more information visit their website:
Natural Living Family - a Bible Health Ministry
The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies and More
Mast Cells United: A Holistic Approach to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
by Amber Walker
Two years of full-time research and over 500 pages of information about MCAS!
Faith and Hope
Living for over six decades with these chronic issues that doctors seemed to know little or nothing about often left me feeling defeated and with little hope. I found my courage and my strength through my faith. I found these daily devotionals by Sara such encouraging words that I hope reach out to you too, wherever you are and whatever you’re going through.
A Daily Devotional for Discovering a Meaningful Life in Christ by Sara Daigle.
Finalist in the 2019 TopShelf Book Awards, Women of Purpose offers 100 days of scripture-based devotions for an intentional and abundant life rooted in Christ.
Music
for The Lone Zebra is provided by my subscription to Epidemic Sound.
Today’s featured song is Quiet My Soul by Joy Spring.
Musical Interludes that are features for the show are parts of the following songs:
Your Grace by Station Story (Theme Song for the podcast)
Shaving Grace by T. Morri
Come Be With Us by Joyspring
The Paper Birch by Johannes Bornlof
Our Early Years by David Celeste
I hope you enjoyed the show and share it with a friend! I’m not on some of the usual podcast platforms due to censorship that would not allow me to share the truth. I hope you will help me by sharing this podcast with your family and friends that you care about. There are many people out there struggling with chronic illnesses that can benefit by listening to some of the tips I share.
The Lone Zebra can be found here on Substack with no ads and all the links and show notes are here for your reference too. The episodes can also be found on:
Google podcasts, iHeart, Amazon, Audible, Listen Notes, Radio Public, Podcast Addict, Learn Out Loud, Podbean, Pod Chaser, Spreaker, Rumble, Brighteon, YouTube podcast, TuneIn, and Pocket Casts.
Listed platforms without links I have submitted my podcast to but have yet to list the show. This will be updated on future podcast episodes either with links or being removed from this list. Thank you for your patience.
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