Oh god is this the new serotonin? It is isn't it. The magic nerve!
Actually I’ve been monitoring my HR and HRV using a chest strap and seeing if some gentle stimulation does anything. Supposedly electrical impulses can help a failing vagal nerve and I think ADHD drugs damaged my nerve. It’s a theory. Maybe it’s snake oil but you sound too hyped up, maybe you need some tVNS too.
As a side note, I read somewhere that this should only be done on left side due to the right Vagal nerve possibly having more interaction with the heart. Nothing to cite other than a fair-warning of something relevant.
Very legitimate at what? It's the characterization of the values nerve I don't believe our media providers have the means to evaluate. The parallel with serotonin is that the coverage has led many people think it's the "chemical that I get depressed when I don't have", which is an absurdly poor understanding of it.
You are correct that there are more questions than answers.
The serious part of my original comment, I have recently started trying tVNS. I think it might be improving my sleep. Definitely seems to lower HR. But of course, who’s to say what is doing what with these personal small experiments.