LONGEVITY with Nathalie Niddam #392: Biohacking the MIND: 78% Anxiety Remission, Vagus Nerve Secrets & The Mental Health Revolution | Zenbud's Jon Hacker Unlocks REST
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Dec 2, 2025 
Join Jon Hacker, an entrepreneur and biohacker specializing in mental health technology, as he delves into his journey from battling OCD to revolutionizing anxiety treatments. He discusses the skyrocketing anxiety rates attributed to modern tech and chronic stress's impact on health. Jon introduces vagus nerve stimulation with his ZenBud headset, offering a gentler alternative to traditional methods, achieving around 78% anxiety remission. He emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and purpose while exploring the future of biohacking and AI in mental health.
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Start With Low-Friction Habits
- Implement low-friction habits like no screens after 5pm or blue-blocking glasses to reduce sympathetic activation.
- Recognize these habits are easier to adopt once you're already out of a downward anxiety spiral.
Vagus Nerve As A Central Regulator
- The vagus nerve (10th cranial) chiefly mediates the parasympathetic 'rest-and-digest' response and links to brain, gut, and inflammation control.
- Stimulating it can counterbalance overactive sympathetic states driving anxiety and inflammation.
Use Indirect Vagus Practices
- Use accessible vagus-supporting practices like humming, breathwork, and cold exposure to indirectly stimulate the nerve.
- Expect indirect approaches to take longer and require more consistency than direct neuromodulation.