Vagus Nerve Stimulation Devices: The New Frontier in Neuro-Regulation
The vagus nerve has emerged as one of the most promising access points for mental health innovation. As the body’s longest cranial nerve, it regulates heart rate, digestion, inflammation, and emotional states. In recent years, both clinical research and venture investment have converged on vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a non-pharmaceutical path to anxiety and depression relief — positioning VNS as one of the most compelling areas of growth in neuro-regulation.
The Science of VNS
By delivering mild electrical pulses to the vagus nerve (either invasively via implants or non-invasively through ear or neck devices), VNS can shift the autonomic nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance. This shift is associated with improved emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and resilience against stress.
Clinical studies — from epilepsy management to treatment-resistant depression — have demonstrated efficacy, and 2025 is shaping up as the year VNS crosses over into mainstream consumer wellness and functional psychiatry.
Leading Players
LivaNova — The U.K.-based medtech company pioneered implantable VNS for epilepsy and depression. With 2023 revenue of $1.1B, it remains the gold standard in FDA-approved VNS therapy. Recent M&A activity has sharpened its psychiatric pipeline.
electroCore (gammaCore) — A New Jersey startup delivering handheld, non-invasive VNS for migraine and cluster headache. electroCore has raised $200M+ and is now expanding into anxiety and PTSD use cases.
Parasym — A London-based startup developing auricular VNS devices. Parasym closed a €1.3M seed round in 2022 and has since partnered with academic institutions on long-COVID and mental health trials.
Neuvana — Founded by cardiac surgeon Dr. Michael Galitzer, Neuvana focuses on consumer-friendly vagus nerve wellness devices. Its flagship product, Xen, is priced at $499 and has gained traction with biohackers and wellness enthusiasts.
Spark Biomedical — Based in Texas, Spark develops VNS wearables for opioid withdrawal and addiction recovery. Backed by Hatteras Venture Partners and NIH grants, Spark is pioneering VNS in behavioral health beyond mood regulation.
Market Momentum
The VNS devices market is projected to grow from $500M in 2023 to $2.1B by 2030.
Non-invasive VNS is the fastest-growing segment, driven by consumer adoption and reduced regulatory hurdles.
Key investors — including Bain Capital Life Sciences and Hatteras Venture Partners — are seeding companies that bridge clinical credibility and consumer usability.
27K Ventures Take
At 27K Ventures, we view vagus nerve stimulation as emblematic of a broader shift:
From symptom suppression to nervous system regulation — VNS is not about masking anxiety, but shifting physiology toward balance.
From clinic to consumer — what began in neurology wards is now making its way into living rooms, meditation practices, and therapy rooms.
From single-point solutions to ecosystem plays — VNS will integrate with wearables, AI-driven health platforms, and functional psychiatry clinics.
The investable future lies in startups that democratize access — combining validated clinical data with consumer-first design. For founders, the opportunity is to meet a generation hungry for tools that support regulation, resilience, and recovery outside the pharmaceutical model.
For investors, VNS is not simply a bet on hardware — it’s a stake in the future of embodied mental health.