Parasympathetic Nervous System
Synopsis of Parasympathetic Nervous System
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is one of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (the other being the sympathetic nervous system). While the sympathetic branch is responsible for the “fight or flight” response, the parasympathetic branch governs the “rest and digest” functions. It promotes relaxation, recovery, and conservation of energy by slowing the heart rate, stimulating digestion, and facilitating repair and immune activity.
Originating from the brainstem (via cranial nerves such as the vagus nerve) and the sacral region of the spinal cord, the parasympathetic nerves innervate major organs including the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, intestines, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder. Unlike the sympathetic system, which prepares the body for action, the parasympathetic system restores balance by regulating involuntary functions during periods of calm and recovery.
The parasympathetic nervous system plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis. It regulates activities like:
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Reducing heart rate and blood pressure
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Stimulating salivary and digestive gland secretion
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Increasing intestinal motility and nutrient absorption
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Promoting urination and defecation
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Supporting sexual arousal and reproductive organ function
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Enhancing immune response during periods of rest
Dysfunction of the PNS may manifest as digestive issues (e.g., poor motility, constipation), chronic stress, anxiety, fatigue, and imbalanced heart rate variability (HRV). Vagal tone—an indicator of vagus nerve activity—is often used to assess the strength of parasympathetic function. Low vagal tone is associated with depression, inflammation, and poor stress recovery.
Parasympathetic activity is typically dominant during sleep, after meals, and during meditative or relaxed states. Its proper functioning is essential for healing, repair, hormonal balance, and mental clarity.
Natural remedies to support Parasympathetic Nervous System
Deep breathing exercises: Diaphragmatic breathing increases vagal activity and slows the heart rate.
Meditation and mindfulness: Reduces sympathetic dominance and encourages parasympathetic balance.
Cold exposure: Brief exposure (e.g., face in cold water) stimulates vagus nerve function.
Laughter, singing, and humming: Activate vagal pathways through the throat and facial muscles.
Probiotics and gut health: A healthy gut supports vagal signaling and parasympathetic activity.
Massage therapy: Especially abdominal massage can stimulate parasympathetic responses.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Parasympathetic Nervous System.
acetyl l-carnitine
amino acids
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-alanine
bifidobacterium longum
biotin
black pepper
branched-chain amino acids
bасора
caffeine
calamari oil
California poppy
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
chamomile
cherry
choline
chrysin
citicoline
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coffee fruit
cowage seed
creatine monohydrate
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
fava bean
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
guarana
guayusa
holy basil
hops
huperzine A
inositol
iodine
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-asparagine
l-glycine
l-histidine
l-methionine
l-serine
l-phenylalanine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
l-valine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus helveticus
lavender
lecithin
lion's mane
lithium orotate
magnesium
magnolia
malic acid
manganese
motherwort
passionflower
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
sceletium
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B
zinc
jiaogulan
catnip
gastrodia
cardamom
lingusticum wallichii
lemongrass
kanna
chrysanthemum
haliotis
amber
dioscorea
lotus seed
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
dimethylethanolamine (DMEA)
biota seed
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
cocoa
cayenne pepper
DMPX
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Ashwagandha
African Snakeroot
Apigenin
Alpha glyceryl
Alkaloid (unspecified)
Agmatine
Acetylcholine
Agmatine sulfate
Alpha-GPC
Areca
Alkaloids
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Aminobutyric acid (unspecified)
Arecoline Hydrobromide
alkaloid
Aniracetam
Alpha-GPC
Acetyl-L-Carnitine-L-Arginine
Belladonna
blend (herb/botanical)
botanical (unspecified)
Betel
Bacopin
Brain
Basidiomycota
Barbed Skullcap
Bacosides (mixed)
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa (unspecified)
Bacopa
Brain
bacoside
Bacosides
Bacopasides
Bacopasaponin (unspecified)
Bacopa glycoside (unspecified)
Coffee
Cannabis
Caffeine pterostilbene
Cannabinoids
Catecholamine
Caffeine alpha-ketoglutarate
Choline
Cytisine
Calea zacatechichi
California Poppy
Citicholine
Cacao
Capitate Valerian
Caffeine
Convolvulus prostratus
Coffee (mixed)
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Carbohydrate
Citicoline
DHA-conjugated phosphatidylserine
Doxylamine succinate
Deanol
English Lavender
Eleuthero Root
Eleuthero
Eleutherococcus senticosus
food additive (unspecified)
Fungus
Fungus (unspecified)
Genseng (not specified)
Ginkgo Flavonglycosides
Gastrodia
Ginkgo flavones
Ginsenosides
Galantamine
Ginseng
Ginkgolides
GABA
Ginkgo Flavone Glycoside
Ginkgolide B
Ginkgoside
Guaranine
Guayusa
Ginkgoheteroside
Guarana
Ginkgo
Ginkgolide A
Ginsenoside
Gastrodin
Ginkgolide C
Ginsenosides
Henbane
Honokiol
Hypothalamus
Huperzine-A
Holy Basil
Huperzine
Hypothalamus protein
Indian snakeroot
Jiaogulan
Jaborandi
Jimson weed
Jujubosides
Jatamansi
Kavalactone
Kavalactones
Kava kava
lemon balm
Lavender
Lavandula (unspecified)
Lupulinum
Myelin sheath
Magnesiium
Methylxanthine (unspecified)
Magnolia
Mushroom (unspecified)
Mulungu
Mexican valerian
Mesembrine
Nitrous Oxide
Nicotine
Nymphaea caerulea
Oxytocin
phosphatidylcholine
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Paraxanthine
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Panax Ginseng
Passiflora (unspecified)
Panax Pseudoginseng
Peptides (unspecified)
Phosphatidylserine
Passionflower
phosphatidyl inositol
Phenethylamine
Phosphatidylserine complex
phospholipid
Phenibut
Panax Notoginseng
plant (unspecified)
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
Phospholipids (unspecified)
Polygala
Rosavins
Rhodola crenulata
Rosabin
Rosavins (mixed)
Rauvolfia canescens
Rhodiola (unspecified)
Rauvolfia (unspecified)
Rhodiola sacra
Rosarin
Rhodiola
Robusta Coffee
Rauvolfia vomitoria
Sceletium
Skullcap
Salidroside
salt
Salidrosides
Shankhpushpi
Tryptophan
Theanine
Toothed Clubmoss
Theanine
Thiamin
Tagara
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria rhynchophylla
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Valerenic acid
Vincamine
Vitamin B1 (Prosultiamine)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine diphosphate)
Valerian
Vitamin B1 (mixed)
Vitamin B
Vitamin B1 (thiamine pyrophosphate)
Withanolides
Withanolide
Xanthine
Ylang ylang Oil
Ylang ylang
Yohimbines (unspecified)