The vagus nerve is one of the most important protagonists of our well-being, even if we often don't know it. This silent regulator of our nervous system can be stimulated in a positive way through devices of all kinds, which are increasingly widespread. And today also from an unexpected source: the vibrations of your smartphone.
The Irony of Technology
There is something paradoxical in all this. The smartphone, that same device that keeps us constantly in a state of alert, that bombards us with notifications and keeps us in a perpetual state of stress, now proposed as a relaxation tool. It's like the arsonist offering to be a fireman. I would tend to Not trust him.
Yet, according to Dr. David Rabin, this apparent contradiction could hide an innovative solution for our well-being. Which one?
The Science Behind Vibration to “Fix” the Vagus Nerve
Doctor Rabin has spent 20 years studying chronic stress, focusing on the effects of trauma and addiction on veterans, women, and children. Her research, conducted at theUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center, led to a surprising discovery: vibrations, like soothing touch or music, can induce a state of relaxation in the body.
“Just like music can calm your body or a hug can soothe you, we can send calming vibrations that are like music composed for your touch receptor system,” he explains. Rabin.
And from this research, as a distillation of information, an app is presented that puts into practice the notions gathered in years of work. The app, called Apollo Sessions, transforms the iPhone into a therapeutic tool by taking advantage of the device's haptic engine.
How Apollo Sessions Works
The vibrations generated stimulate the vagus nerve, a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for recovery and relaxation. And by varying the frequency of the vibrations, you can get different physical responses. The app developed by Rabin offers various vibrational patterns called “Vibes,” each designed to induce different states: from the energizing “Espresso Shot” to the relaxing “Hug.”
Effectiveness is not just theoretical. Rabin states that eight double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials have been completed, involving over 1.700 subjects. Three are already published and five are under review for publication in 2025.
A study published in the Journal of Rheumatology (I link it here) demonstrated significant improvements in participants' fatigue, physical function, mood, sleep, and social participation.
The Vagus Nerve and the “Democratization” of Well-Being
The iPhone app comes after the success of a wearable device from the same company, called apollo neuroThe smartphone version offers a subset of the wearable's features, focusing on relaxation and stress reduction throughout the day.
The app is free with a two-minute “Hug” trial. A $9,99 monthly subscription unlocks unlimited access to six different “Vibes.”
Too good to be true
Needless to say, this app has met with a lot of skepticism (including my own). Rabin himself admits that the idea of using an iPhone's vibrations for therapeutic purposes may seem absurd.
However, the results speak for themselves. Both clinical trials and user experiences suggest that, despite the paradox, this technology may actually work.
It’s ironic that the same device that often causes us anxiety can become a healing tool. But maybe that’s the point: technology, like any tool, is not inherently good or bad. It’s how we use it that makes the difference.
