#824: Dr. Kevin Tracey — Stimulating The Vagus Nerve to Tame Inflammation, Alleviate Depression, Treat Autoimmune Disorders (e.g., Rheumatoid Arthritis), and Much More

In this episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Tim interviews Dr. Kevin Tracey, a pioneer in vagus nerve research, to explore the science and therapeutic applications of vagus nerve stimulation. They discuss Dr. Tracey's research, including the inflammatory reflex and bioelectronic medicine, and the recent FDA approval of a vagus nerve stimulation device for rheumatoid arthritis. They delve into the specifics of vagus nerve anatomy and function, the role of inflammation in various diseases, and the potential of vagus nerve stimulation as an alternative to biologics. The conversation also covers the challenges of understanding and treating conditions like depression and asthma, the complexities of heart rate variability, and anecdotal evidence supporting the benefits of vagus nerve stimulation, including the story of Dr. Tracey's friend Ulf.