THE ED MYLETT SHOW

Episode: The Brain-Body Discovery That Will Change Your Life
Featuring: Dr. Kevin Tracey
Released: January 27, 2026

Episode Overview

In this highly anticipated episode, Ed Mylett welcomes renowned neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, and pioneer of bioelectronic medicine Dr. Kevin Tracey. The conversation explores the groundbreaking science of the vagus nerve, the nervous system’s role in managing inflammation, and how this emerging knowledge is leading to revolutionary therapies that could change the treatment of chronic disease, mental health, and overall longevity. Real-world applications—like implanted vagus nerve stimulators—are discussed, alongside down-to-earth advice for optimizing your own brain-body balance.

Main Discussion Themes & Insights

1. What is the Vagus Nerve and Why is it Critical?

[Timestamps: 02:12–03:57]

• Definition: The vagus nerve starts at the base of the brain and travels through the neck, chest, and abdomen, sending out fibers to all vital organs.
• Complexity: Humans have two vagus nerves, each with about 100,000 fibers ("So when you talk about your vagus nerve, you actually have 200,000 of them." – Dr. Tracey, 02:38)
• Function: These nerves carry signals between the organs and the brain, maintaining the healthy, coordinated function of organs through reflexes.

2. Inflammation as the Root of Most Disease

[Timestamps: 03:57–08:18]

• Ed’s premise: Modern medicine sees inflammation as the basis for most chronic diseases.
• Dr. Tracey lists diseases where inflammation is a key driver (cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, neurodegeneration).
• “The real question I had was, how does the body normally control inflammation?” – Dr. Tracey (06:37)
• Dr. Tracey’s research led to the discovery that the vagus nerve (via reflexes) plays a direct role in controlling inflammation—paving the way for bioelectronic therapies.

Memorable moment:
“But as you know from the book, we don’t say Eureka in the lab anymore. We say, ‘holy shit.’” – Dr. Kevin Tracey [08:16]

3. Trauma, Anxiety & The Nervous System’s Lasting Impact

[Timestamps: 09:41–13:40]

• Historical adages (“you can’t heal the body without healing the soul”) are now supported by data.
• Childhood trauma or long-term stress imprints on the nervous system and bodily inflammation for decades (“the nervous system... carries a memory or an imprint of the stress that occurs when you’re young” – Dr. Tracey, 11:25).
• Example: Salivary cortisol in older adults correlates inversely with childhood socioeconomic status.

4. Fight-or-Flight vs. Rest-and-Digest: Real-World Implications

[Timestamps: 13:40–19:43]

• Ed shares his personal history with trauma, anxiety, and “always being in fight-or-flight.”
• He asks Dr. Tracey whether high resting heart rate and low HRV (heart rate variability) reflect sympathetic nervous system dominance.
• Dr. Tracey: It’s a possible indicator but not definitive. The science of measuring “sympathovagal balance” is much more complex and controversial than most fitness or wellness media suggest. (Explains technicalities and variables in HRV.)

5. The Body Can Heal Itself—Proof Through Bioelectronic Medicine

[Timestamps: 19:43–26:56]

• Groundbreaking studies: By stimulating the vagus nerve directly with an implantable device, severe inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can be controlled—even in patients not responding to pharmaceuticals.
  • “About 75% of them gained significant clinical benefit from having vagus nerve stimulation implanted in their neck. It’s really incredible, actually.” – Dr. Tracey [24:26]
• Patients’ stories: Recovery from years of life-altering pain using vagus nerve stimulators.

6. Future Applications and the Coming Medical Revolution

[Timestamps: 24:41–29:35]

• Could electricity (bioelectronic medicine) overtake chemistry (pharmaceuticals)? Dr. Tracey believes so, at least for significant groups of patients.
• Beyond rheumatoid arthritis: promising trials and research for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, metabolic syndrome, obesity, depression, epilepsy, and possibly even recovery from stroke.
  • “What is it about those 50% of patients who get better from vagus nerve stimulation therapy versus those that don’t?” – Dr. Tracey [28:27]
• Many mysteries remain, but the explosion of research is expected in the coming years.

7. Are At-Home Vagus Nerve Stimulation Devices Effective?

[Timestamps: 29:35–35:50]

• Many “wearables” and gadgets claim to stimulate the vagus nerve via the ear or neck.
• Dr. Tracey: Physiologically, it’s extremely complex and unproven; only direct, targeted electrical stimulation of the nerve (via implant) is confirmed to have specific anti-inflammatory effects.
  • “…some of these non-invasive devices do have interesting clinical outcomes and clinical results. They’re just not vagus nerve stimulators.” – Dr. Tracey [34:41]
• Cautions about overpromised marketing versus established science.

8. Daily & Low-Cost Practices to Support Your Nervous System

[Timestamps: 35:50–43:45]

• Cold therapy: Dr. Tracey uses cold showers, noting strong evidence for acute fight-or-flight responses to briefly reduce inflammation, and for cold-adapted responses to increase vagal activity.
  • “I stay in the cold until…I feel my heart rate slow down. And at that point I know I’ve stimulated the vagus nerve.” [38:56]
• Prayer/Meditation & Breathing: Changes in breathing during prayer/meditation can stimulate the vagus nerve and slow the heart.
  • “If you check your pulse and you have a slow pulse during prayer, maybe you’ve stimulated your vagus nerve…” [41:23]
  • Explains the mechanism as mostly via sensory fibers in the lungs, with some unproven—but likely positive—effects on inflammation.

9. Chronic Inflammation, Stress, Genetics, and Disease Expression

[Timestamps: 43:45–51:17]

• Ed relates his father’s experience with cancer, stress, and fitness, and wonders if chronic inflammation triggered disease expression earlier.
• Dr. Tracey says the relationship between stress, inflammation, genetics, and disease is complex and bidirectional—far from cut and dry, but vital for ongoing research.
  • “It’s genes and environment, it’s nature and nurture and you can’t separate those... What happens in your brain affects your body, and vice versa.” [45:47]

10. Dr. Tracey’s Personal Health Habits & Best Practices

[Timestamps: 51:17–54:34]

• Practices what he preaches:
  • Balanced diet (aims for fewer carbs)
  • Regular exercise including variety (aerobic, isometric, stretching)
  • Prioritizes sleep (does not use a wearable)
  • Cold showers, stress management, social engagement, giving back
• “All of those things tend to slow your heart rate... and so maybe, maybe, maybe we’re slowing inflammation in the body.” [53:37]

11. On Grit, Doing Hard Things, and Brain Adaptation

[Timestamps: 54:34–55:10]

• The psychological value of pushing through challenges (e.g., cold showers) is supported by emerging neuroscience: “There’s pretty good evidence for parts of the brain that light up on brain scans only when you do something you don’t want to do that’s good for you.” [54:48]

12. Heart-Brain Coherence and Homeostasis

[Timestamps: 55:10–61:05]

• Drawing on Joe Dispenza’s concept:
  • Health is about bodily harmony (homeostasis), not just isolated organ function or “railroad tie” rhythmic output.
  • “The harmony is the key... The signals in the vagus nerve are much more beautiful and harmonious. They’re like the strings of thirty violins all sort of playing in harmony. And that’s what health is, you guys.” – Dr. Tracey [59:30]
• Ongoing research: Dr. Tracey’s lab is decoding how the brain and organs communicate through this “symphony,” with implications for future diagnostics and therapies.

Notable Quotes & Key Moments

• “If the whole idea is to have an anti-inflammatory sort of experience, check that box.” – Dr. Tracey, on cold therapy [38:34]
• “I do what grandma said…a balanced diet, try to exercise, get enough sleep, avoid too much stress, stay socially engaged, give back.” [51:51]
• “The harmony is the key…they’re like the strings of thirty violins all sort of playing in harmony. And that’s what health is, you guys.” [59:30]
• “Only when you do something you don’t want to do that’s good for you, that strengthening of grit is being studied at the level of brain neurons.” [54:48]

Suggested Action Steps from Dr. Tracey and Ed Mylett

• Learn about the role of your autonomic nervous system (vagus and sympathetic nerves).
• Simple daily habits: cold showers, breathwork, prayer/meditation, exercise, good diet, sufficient sleep, stress management, and social connection.
• Be cautious with consumer “vagus nerve” gadgets; look for sound science over hype.
• Stay tuned for the rapid evolution of bioelectronic medicine.

Important Segment Timestamps

• Understanding the vagus nerve: [02:12–03:57]
• Inflammation and chronic disease: [03:57–08:18]
• Stress, trauma, and disease correlation: [09:41–13:40]
• Personal stories & measurement pitfalls (HRV, heart rate): [13:40–19:43]
• Bioelectronic medicine for RA & future possibilities: [19:43–29:35]
• Device skepticism and summary of current status: [29:35–35:50]
• Free daily practices (cold therapy, prayer, breath): [35:50–43:45]
• Inflammation’s role in gene expression/disease: [43:45–51:17]
• Dr. Tracey’s personal regimen & behavioral science: [51:17–55:10]
• Heart-brain coherence, harmony, and latest science: [55:10–61:05]

Tone & Language

This conversation is warm, exploratory, and practical, with Ed Mylett’s signature motivational style drawing out both the science and the everyday impact. Dr. Tracey’s tone is accessible, cautious, and inspiring—emphasizing the potential of science without hype or “dogma.”

Recommended Next Step

• Book: The Great Nerve by Dr. Kevin Tracey (highly recommended by Ed)
• Share the episode: Ed urges listeners, “You need to share this one.” [61:13]

This episode serves as both a masterclass in new science and a practical guide for anyone seeking to become ‘the best version’ of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.