Kevin Tracey is a neurosurgeon, researcher, and one of the pioneers in vagus nerve stimulation and bioelectronic medicine. In his book The Great Nerve, he engagingly and accessibly describes how the body’s largest cranial nerve—the vagus nerve—plays a central role in regulating inflammation and other autonomic functions.

Tracey is a prolific inventor with over 120 U.S. patents and has been ranked by the scientific journal PLOS One as one of the world’s most cited living researchers. In his new book, he shares the story of the discovery of the inflammatory reflex—how signals from the brain can influence the immune system through vagus nerve activation. This activation can occur through methods ranging from meditation and breathing techniques to advanced electrical stimulation via implanted devices.

At the INMEST Foundation, we are pleased to see the book spotlight an area we are deeply engaged in. Our method, INMEST, is a minimally invasive vagus nerve stimulation technique via the nasal cavity. The clinical studies supported by the foundation show clear indications that the vagus nerve nuclei in the brainstem are affected. While Tracey emphasizes his own approach in the book, we see a rapidly evolving field where less invasive methods—those that do not require implants—hold great promise.

We highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding how the vagus nerve can influence inflammation, immune function, and overall health.