The Vagus Nerve Connects Every Health Professional
The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, cranial nerve X, or simply CN X, is a cranial nerve that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It comprises two nerves—the left and right vagus nerves—but they are typically referred to collectively as a single subsystem. The vagus is the longest nerve of the autonomic nervous system in the human body and comprises both sensory and motor fibers.
Become a member of the Vagus Nerve Society
Who We Are
We are a non-profit educational organization whose global membership is drawn from multiple disciplines. Our members are researchers, medical specialists, primary care physicians, functional/integrative clinicians, and scientists who are interested in sharing their knowledge and expertise and learning from one another. We will have a robust program of opportunities in which members will participate.
Peter Staats, MD
Chairman
Dr. Staats was founder of the Division of Pain Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, where he was the director for 10 years. Dr. Staats is internationally recognized for his work in inventing, developing, and implementing minimally invasive procedures for pain and neuromodulation. He is currently Chief Medical Officer of National Spine and Pain Centers and was the cofounder and remains chief medical officer of electroCore.
He is President of the World Institute of Pain and is past President of the North American Neuromodulation Society, American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, New Jersey Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the Southern Pain Society.
Dr. Staats has written or co-edited 14 books, close to 500 articles, abstracts, monographs, and book chapters on pain medicine. His work has been highlighted on multiple national media outlets. Dr. Staats has received numerous awards including the lifetime achievement awards from the New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia branches of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, from American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), the North American Neuromodulation society (NANS) and the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN).
Mark Tager, MD
Co-Founder
Dr. Mark Tager is one of the most influential health educators in the United States and around the world. He is well grounded in integrative, regenerative, and aesthetic medicine. His unique “super power” is the ability to communicate complicated scientific concepts to clinicians and consumers. He has built and sold two consumer health publishing companies, served as chief marketing officer for Reliant Technologies (Fraxel®) and Syneron, and is active as a scientific/medical board member for a number of companies. He has given more than 1500 presentations, written 11 books, and produced hundreds of educational videos and training programs.
Dr. Tager has served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the American Academy of AntiAging Medicine, faculty at Duke Integrative Medicine, and as a guest lecturer at other university-based integrative medicine programs. His topics focus on practice management, nutrition and skin health, and presentation skills for clinicians. His clinical interest revolves around the complementary use of nutrients and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation. He received his medical training at Duke Medical School and family practice at the University of Oregon.
