#Body

A new neuroscience study suggests that stimulating the vagus nerve can reduce the rubber hand illusion, a phenomenon where a fake hand is mistaken for part of the body. The findings, published in a leading psychology journal, point to potential treatments for conditions tied to bodily self-awareness and mental health.

The vagus nerve is a key communication link between brain and body, influencing emotion, attention, and self-perception. The research focuses on a non-invasive method called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, or taVNS. By sending gentle electrical pulses to the ear area connected to the vagus nerve, taVNS may enhance the brain’s ability to read internal signals, such as heartbeat.