Unconventional Ear Therapy Can Reduce Bad Effects of Aging, Study Finds

Researchers have found that running a small electric current through the ear can reduce the effects of aging by restoring balance to the nervous system. Scientists from the University of Leeds conducted a study to see the effects of electrically stimulating the vagus /ˈveɪ gəs/ nerve through the ears. This nerve is an essential part of the autonomic /ˌɔ təˈnɒm ɪk/ nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate and blood pressure. The scientists gathered 29 volunteers aged 55 and above. For two weeks, the group was given a small electric current to the ear that lasted 15 minutes. The researchers found that the procedure benefited those who showed the most signs of aging at the beginning of the study. They believe that the improvement happened because the therapy restored balance between the two branches of the nervous system. These two branches are called the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Once the body senses danger, the sympathetic branch kicks in and causes muscles to tense and the heart rate to increase. When a person is resting, the parasympathetic branch relaxes the muscles and lowers the heart rate. As people age, an imbalance develops between these two branches. The sympathetic branch becomes more active, while the parasympathetic branch functions less. This imbalance leads to diseases such as heart problems and mood disorders like depression. Following these findings, the scientists want to investigate the therapy’s long-term effects. Lead scientist Dr. Beatrice Bretherton is considering doing research on whether the therapy could treat diseases that stem from the imbalance in the nervous system due to aging.