The location and function of these nerves help us understand why the body reacts so swiftly when we’re stressed: why our hearts race when we run into an ex; why feelings of panic make us feel short of breath; and why I started fainting (or losing consciousness) out of the blue. When we are in a state of homeostasis, the vagus nerve acts as a “neutral break,” keeping us calm and open, helping us be our most social selves. When the vagus nerve is activated and it enters its defensive system, fight-or-flight responses can manifest themselves almost immediately.
