“Vagal tone” refers to how well the vagus nerve functions.

A high vagal tone supports:

1. Better heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of cardiovascular health.
2. Enhanced emotional stability.
3. Reduced risk of chronic diseases and mental health disorders.

A low vagal tone can lead to:

1. Anxiety, depression, and stress.
2. Poor digestion, inflammation, and weakened immunity.
3. Cardiovascular and metabolic issues.

Image credit: By Manu5 – http://www.scientificanimations.com/wiki-images/, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67073886