But vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) isn’t just a wellness trend—it’s also a real medical treatment involving specially designed VNS devices. What is vagus nerve stimulation? Vagus nerve stimulation “works by delivering small electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, usually via an implanted device that sits in the chest,” says Etienne. Vagus nerve stimulation really does workFor conditions already cleared by the FDA, stimulating the vagus nerve has proven benefits. What experts definitely agree on is that vagus nerve stimulation has real medical power, and scientists are just beginning to explore its full potential.