Modern neuroscience is increasingly confirming what many holistic therapies have long recognised: the body has built-in systems designed to calm the mind, regulate emotions, and restore balance. Two key players in this process are the vagus nerve and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Understanding how they work together helps explain why stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and addictive behaviours can feel so hard to control — and how they can be improved naturally.
What Is the Vagus Nerve and Why It Matters?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, running from the brainstem through the neck and into the chest and abdomen. It plays a central role in the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the body’s “rest and digest” system.
When the vagus nerve is functioning well, it helps:
- Slow the heart rate
- Reduce inflammation
- Support digestion
- Regulate mood and emotional responses
- Signal safety and calm to the brain
Low vagal tone, on the other hand, is associated with chronic stress, anxiety, poor sleep, emotional reactivity, and difficulty calming the body after stressful events.
Understanding GABA: The Brain’s Calming Neurotransmitter
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its role is to slow down excessive neural activity, helping the nervous system settle.
Adequate GABA activity supports:
- Relaxation and mental calm
- Reduced anxiety and overthinking
- Better sleep onset and quality
- Emotional regulation
Low GABA levels are commonly linked to anxiety disorders, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, and reliance on substances such as alcohol or nicotine to “switch off” the mind.
The Connection Between the Vagus Nerve and GABA
The vagus nerve and GABA are closely connected through the gut–brain axis and the regulation of the nervous system. Vagal activity influences neurotransmitter balance, including GABA production and signalling.
When the vagus nerve is activated:
- The brain receives signals of safety
- GABA activity is supported
- Stress hormones like cortisol are reduced
- The nervous system shifts out of fight-or-flight mode
This is why practices that stimulate the vagus nerve — such as slow breathing, relaxation, and deep mental focus — can have such a profound calming effect.
The Impact of Stress, Anxiety, and Addictive Behaviours
Chronic stress keeps the nervous system in a heightened state of alert. Over time, this can:
- Reduce vagal tone
- Suppress GABA activity
- Make it harder to relax or sleep
- Increase cravings for alcohol, nicotine, or other coping behaviours
Many people unknowingly use substances like alcohol or vaping as a way to temporarily boost GABA or calm the nervous system — but this relief is short-lived and often reinforces the cycle.
How Hypnotherapy Supports Nervous System Regulation
Hypnotherapy works by guiding the mind and body into a deeply relaxed, focused state, naturally engaging the parasympathetic nervous system and stimulating the vagus nerve. In this state, the brain becomes more receptive to change and regulation.
Through hypnotherapy, clients may experience:
- Improved sleep by calming an overactive nervous system
- Reduced anxiety and stress responses
- Less reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism
- Support with quitting smoking or vaping by breaking subconscious patterns
By addressing the root causes held in the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy helps retrain the nervous system toward calm, balance, and healthier responses — supporting long-term change rather than short-term fixes.
Final Thoughts
The vagus nerve and GABA play a crucial role in how safe, calm, and regulated we feel. When these systems are supported, the body and mind can naturally return to balance. Hypnotherapy offers a powerful, natural way to support this process, helping with sleep, anxiety, alcohol issues, and quitting smoking or vaping by working with — not against — the nervous system.