--- title: "Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation" description: "Daily transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation reduced postural tachycardia and improved related biomarkers in patients with POTS over two months." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.html" type: "study" study_key: "s164" journal: "JACC Clin Electrophysiol" year: 2023 pmid: "37999672" doi: "10.1016/j.jacep.2023.10.015" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s164 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | JACC Clin Electrophysiol | | Year | 2023 | | PMID | [37999672](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37999672/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.jacep.2023.10.015](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2023.10.015) | | Study key | s164 | ## Takeaway Daily transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation reduced postural tachycardia and improved related biomarkers in patients with POTS over two months. ## The question Does low-level transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (tVNS) reduce postural tachycardia in patients with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) over a 2-month period? ## Hypothesis The authors hypothesized that tVNS would be beneficial in patients with POTS, based on preliminary animal studies and the known antiarrhythmic and anti-inflammatory effects of auricular vagus stimulation. ## Methods This was a sham-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Participants with POTS received either active tVNS (20 Hz, 1 mA below discomfort threshold at the tragus) or sham stimulation (ear lobe) for 1 hour daily over 2 months. Postural tachycardia, heart rate variability, serum cytokines, and antiautonomic autoantibodies were measured at baseline and after 2 months. ## Results At 2 months, the active tVNS group showed significantly less postural tachycardia (mean postural increase in heart rate 17.6 ± 9.9 beats/min) compared to the sham group (31.7 ± 14.4 beats/min; P = 0.01). Antiadrenergic autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines were lower, and heart rate variability was better in the active arm. No device-related side effects were observed. ## Conclusion The study concludes that noninvasive neuromodulation with tVNS can treat POTS, likely by reducing antiautonomic autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines, and improving autonomic tone. ## Limitations The abstract states that further studies are warranted, implying that this study, while supportive, is not definitive. ## Verbatim from the abstract > stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve is antiarrhythmic and anti-inflammatory ## Mean Postural Increase in Heart Rate at 2 Months | Measure | Heart Rate Increase (beats/min) | | --- | --- | | Active tVNS | 17.6 | | Sham Stimulation | 31.7 | *The active tVNS group experienced a significantly smaller increase in heart rate upon standing compared to the sham group after 2 months.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Vagus Nerve Stimulator (tVNS) | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation** JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2023 · [PMID 37999672](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37999672/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.jacep.2023.10.015](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2023.10.015) > stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve is antiarrhythmic and anti-inflammatory ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.html","name":"Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation","description":"Daily transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation reduced postural tachycardia and improved related biomarkers in patients with POTS over two months.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.html#study","name":"Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation","headline":"Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation","datePublished":"2023","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"JACC Clin Electrophysiol"},"identifier":"PMID:37999672","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37999672/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2023.10.015","abstract":"Daily transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation reduced postural tachycardia and improved related biomarkers in patients with POTS over two months."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with mild cognitive…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).