One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
Iman Majd, MD, MS, EAMP / LAc
Dr. Iman Majd is the director of the Osher Clinic for Integrative Medicine at the  University of Washington and a member of the NCCAOM board of commissioners. Learn more at https://integrativehealth.org/iman_majd.