Vagus Nerve Damage Test: Simple Ways to Check at Home
Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L Occupational Therapist, Writer
November 03, 2025
The vagus nerve is integral to our health, as this nervous system structure has far-reaching effects on many primary bodily functions. Individuals who have experienced damage to the vagus nerve are likely to notice symptoms such as shortness of breath, bloating, acid reflux, nausea, an irregular heartbeat, emotional dysregulation, and more. A weakened or damaged vagus nerve can also contribute to excessive inflammation, which further impacts digestion, breathing, and mood. [3] [4]
Education is one of the most important ways to properly perform a vagus nerve damage test and manage vagus nerve damage. In this article, we will help you understand how to recognize vagus nerve damage, safely and simply test your vagus nerve function, and strengthen it all from the comfort of your home. We will also detail how SoundSory can help activate the vagus nerve and overcome vagus nerve damage through movement and sound. Read on for a step-by-step plan to guide you through the process and help you take charge of your health.
Vagus Nerve Dysfunction Symptoms
Several signs indicate the need to undergo a vagus nerve damage test. These include some of the following: [1] [2] [3] [4]
Concerns related to breathing and voice
- Absent gag reflex
- Difficulty swallowing
- Voice changes, including increased hoarseness, frequent loss of voice, or a wheezing voice
Wheezing can affect the quality of someone’s voice as well as their breathing. The vagus nerve controls the muscles in the throat, so it is common for someone with this dysfunction to lack a gag reflex and experience difficulty swallowing when eating or drinking.
Digestive problems
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Acid reflux
- Chronic nausea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight loss that another medical concern can’t explain
Symptoms such as abdominal bloating and pain can also contribute to appetite loss, which can lead someone to feel full more quickly. Individuals with vagus nerve dysfunction might also tend to eat less due to discomfort in the abdominal area.
Emotional symptoms
- Anxiety
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Poor stress response
Feelings of chronic fatigue can worsen emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Individuals with vagus nerve damage are known to have more difficulty recovering from stress than others. For example, they may react more intensely or more quickly to hardships and tend to have difficulty returning to their baseline mood after something stressful happens.
Other symptoms
- An irregular heartbeat
- Blood pressure changes
- Changes in blood glucose levels
- Dizziness
- Fainting spells
While vagus nerve damage more traditionally causes low blood pressure that may lead to dizziness and fainting, dysfunction affecting this nerve prevents the body from properly regulating blood pressure levels. Therefore, it is common for someone with vagus nerve damage to have fluctuating blood pressure readings.
It is important to remember that the symptoms we just listed are not necessarily indicative of permanent or serious nerve damage. However, they are often visible signs of low vagal tone or a vagus nerve imbalance. This means it is still essential to address these concerns to improve your overall well-being.
How to Test Vagus Nerve Function at Home
While only medical professionals can formally diagnose nerve damage in the case of serious injuries, there are several safe ways to observe vagus nerve function through the body’s responses. These are simple and can be done at home with no specialized equipment.
Please keep in mind that these tests are intended to improve your awareness of the vagus nerve and its impact on your body. While some tests may resonate more with you than others, they are all intended to feel calming and not uncomfortable. If any of them cause you discomfort or distress, stop and give yourself a short break to readjust before moving to the next test.
Valsalva maneuver
The Valsalva maneuver self-check test involves breathing out forcefully against a closed airway. While it may sound somewhat difficult, it’s actually quite simple. Follow the instructions below: [7]
- Sit down or lay on your back in a comfortable position.
- Take a deep breath in through your nose or mouth.
- Once you feel you can’t breathe in any deeper, close your mouth and use your fingers to firmly pinch your nose shut at the bottom.
- As if you are using the bathroom, push the breath out while continuing to keep your mouth closed and nose pinched shut.
- Hold this for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Open your mouth and let the breath out entirely while continuing to pinch your nose shut.
How it works: Straining as part of the Valsalva maneuver creates an increase of pressure in your chest and abdomen. This leads to a temporary increase in blood pressure. Once you release the strain, your blood pressure will drop due to a decrease in the force and amount of blood moving to the heart.
What to look for: In addition to decreasing your blood pressure, the Valsalva maneuver should lower your heart rate around 1 minute following the exercise. If you don’t experience any changes in blood pressure or heart rate after trying this test a few times, you may have vagus nerve dysfunction.
If you had difficulty with the Valsalva maneuver or didn’t like that process, don’t worry. We have several more tests for you to try.
Modified Valsalva maneuver
If you want to try a different version of the Valsalva maneuver, this is how you complete the modified test: [7]
- Sit down or lay on your back in a comfortable position.
- Take a deep breath in through your nose or mouth.
- Once you feel you can’t breathe in any deeper, close your mouth and use your fingers to firmly pinch your nose shut at the bottom.
- As if you are using the bathroom, push the breath out while continuing to keep your mouth closed and nose pinched shut.
- Hold this for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Open your mouth and let the breath out entirely while continuing to pinch your nose shut.
- Raise your legs 1-2 feet off the ground.
How it works: Straining as part of the modified Valsalva maneuver creates an increase of pressure in your chest and abdomen. This leads to a temporary increase in blood pressure. Once you release the strain, your blood pressure will drop due to a decrease in the force and amount of blood moving to the heart. By raising your legs off the ground, this enhances the effect of the blood pressure changes by speeding up the return of blood to your heart.
What to look for: In addition to decreasing your blood pressure, the modified Valsalva maneuver should lower your heart rate around 1 minute following the exercise. If you don’t experience any changes in blood pressure or heart rate after trying this test a few times, you may have vagus nerve dysfunction.
Diving reflex test
This test uses cold water to determine if the vagus nerve is working properly. In order to complete the diving reflex test, use the following steps: [8]
- Fill a bowl with ice water, ensuring the bowl is at least 6 inches deep.
- Take a deep breath before pinching your nose shut or holding your breath on your own.
- Dunk your face in the bowl of water and stay there for 30 seconds.
- Lift your head out of the water.
- Take a few seconds to observe your heart rate before drying your face off.
How it works: By submerging the face in cold water, the diving reflex test triggers the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is connected to the vagus nerve, which should indirectly be triggered by this test. This is called the diving reflex test because a similar process happens when you are exposed to cold underwater.
What to look for: This test should activate your vagus nerve, meaning your heart rate should slow down.
Gag reflex test
You may be familiar with the gag reflex test, since most doctors perform this test during physical exams. The gag reflex test is a good indicator of the health of several parts of the nervous system, one of which is the vagus nerve. In order to assess the vagus nerve using the gag reflex test, follow these steps: [9]
- Sit in front of a mirror.
- Open your mouth in an exaggerated manner and say, “Aaaaah.”
- Look at your uvula, which is the part of your mouth hanging down at the top of your throat. The uvula should hang down in the middle and not reach toward one side.
- Next, look at your palate, which is the roof of your mouth. The palate should be raised and level with one another, and not sagging on one side.
- Using a popsicle stick, lightly touch one side of your tongue.
- Do the same on the other side.
- Note whether both sides produce a gag reflex.
How it works: This test stimulates the glossopharyngeal nerve and the vagus nerve, which are both cranial nerves responsible for movement of the mouth and tongue.
What to look for: This test should produce a gag reflex. When one branch of the vagus nerve is damaged, the roof of the mouth should elevate and move to one side when you touch the tongue.
How Soundsory Can Help You Strengthen Your Vagus Nerve
Now that we know several ways to test the vagus nerve, you may wonder what comes next if you find that your vagus nerve is damaged or weak. SoundSory is a natural, evidence-based way to strengthen your vagus nerve. This modality pairs gentle movement and music together to offer a sensory-based experience that stimulates the vagus nerve. SoundSory is proven effective at enhancing relaxation, balancing mood, and strengthening the vagus nerve. In addition, SoundSory can be used to support overall balance in the nervous system.
SoundSory utilizes unique sound frequencies that are just as simple as the tests we’ve led you through above. This device can be used from the comfort of your own home to enhance your existing exercise routine, lower your stress levels, and boost your emotional well-being.
When to Seek Professional Help
Most mild vagus nerve dysfunction responds well to consistent self-care routines and diligent stress management techniques. However, this may not always be the case, especially with more severe health concerns. Since our intention is to increase your awareness of the vagus nerve and the role it plays in your life, it’s important that we emphasize when it’s best to see a doctor. You should consult with a medical professional if you experience health concerns such as long-term and severe digestive issues, swallowing problems that have led to choking or majorly impaired breathing, or significant heart problems that impact your ability to exercise or move around as you normally do. These can all be signs of a more serious condition. If you are interested in getting more targeted vagus nerve testing, you can visit a neurologist (a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system) or an otolaryngologist (a doctor who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat, also known as ENTs). They can complete thorough professional assessments and make treatment recommendations, if needed.
Conclusion
Vagus nerve damage tests start with self-awareness, as listening to your body’s signals and observing relaxation responses is an important part of knowing when there may be a problem. The good news is that, if damage is present, there are a range of simple vagus nerve exercises you can use to keep the vagus nerve healthy and avoid undue problems. One of these is SoundSory, which is a great part of any holistic routine that strengthens vagal tone, improves focus, and supports greater emotional balance. If you need specific guidance in the completion of exercises, you can reach out to a qualified physical therapist, occupational therapist, or mental health professional. Remember that by learning to activate your vagus nerve naturally, you can help your body return to a state of calm and connection regardless of what stressors you encounter.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Vagus Nerve. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22279-vagus-nerve
- Kenny, B.J., & Bordoni, B. Neuroanatomy, Cranial Nerve 10 (Vagus Nerve) [Updated 2022 Nov 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537171/
- Breit, S., Kupferberg, A., Rogler, G., & Hasler, G. (2018). Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain-Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders. Frontiers in psychiatry, 9, 44. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research: Northwell Health. (2025). What is the Vagus Nerve? Retrieved from https://feinstein.northwell.edu/news/insights/vagus-nerve
- Seladi-Schulman, J. (2023). What is the Vagus Nerve? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/vagus-nerve
- Mayo Clinic. (2024). Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vagus-nerve-stimulation/about/pac-20384565
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Valsalva Maneuvers. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23209-valsalva-maneuver
- Chapleau, M. W., & Sabharwal, R. (2011). Methods of assessing vagus nerve activity and reflexes. Heart Failure Reviews, 16(2), 109–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-010-9174-6
- Reese, V., Das, J.M., & Al Khalili, Y. Cranial Nerve Testing. [Updated 2023 May 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585066/
Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L
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