The vagus nerve is the longest nerve connecting your brain and gut, representing the connection between the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Your PNS is your rest and digest state, but can also influence mood, the immune system, heart rate and digestion.
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Vagal tone is the strength in which our vagus nerve can send signals and switch from SNS to PNS when necessary. Low vagal tone is associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, mood disorders and even inflammation in general. This is due to the fact that the vagus nerve helps regulate stress responses. High vagal tone on the other hand has been correlated to better mental and physical health and stronger immune system.
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When it comes to anxiety, people like to look at this as a gut issue because they have what we call “low vagal tone”, when in reality it is a nervous system issue. Our central nervous system (CNS) is CONSTANTLY assessing our environment if it is safe for us. It stimulates our 5 senses and other bodily functions to do so and this requires tons of energy (glucose) and nutrients-especially if your body is stressed.
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Heightened anxiety is a result of an over stimulated and stressed CNS, sending one into a sympathetic state. The influx of anxiety is a result of the body running off of stress hormones, suffering from nutrient deficiencies (like low calcium or magnesium), and/or the body is reacting to a memory that has been stored within tissue (yes, stored trauma, both physical and mental).  The body stops normal function and seizes other responsibilities, such as sending enough nutrients and blood flow to digestion, thyroid, reproductive organs, etc., all to PROTECT you from the perceived stressed even if there isn’t one and it’s just a memory.
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The vagus nerve plays a pivotal role here where if the CNS is sending danger signals to the brain, it will directly influence how the vagus nerve reacts and communicates to the rest of the body.

Interestingly enough. Only 20% of the vagus nerve’s job is to receive signals from the brain to the body, and that 80% of it works off of sensory fibres, meaning it carries information from body to brain most of the time!
This means you have CONTROL over how you stimulate your vagus nerve to CALM your CNS because it is primarily influenced by your SENSES. So all that saying “it’s all in your head” about anxiety is complete bullshit. You have the power to influence your body’s reactions.