Interest in the vagus nerve has recently surged, particularly with the advent of non-invasive transcutaneous VNS (tVNS), which has broadened access and facilitated research across a range of conditions including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), migraine, chronic pain, and inflammatory disorders. tVNS primarily utilizes two pathways: the auricular branch (taVNS) and the cervical bundle (tcVNS). This paper provides a narrative review of tcVNS and taVNS stimulation. While both target the same cranial nerve, they differ significantly in their anatomical access points and methodological implementations.
Two paths to the body’s superhighway—the auricular branch (taVNS) and the cervical bundle (tcVNS): a narrative review
Justyna Blake

