Effect of Stimulation on the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve is a largely-internal nerve that controls many bodily functions, including stomach function. Investigators hope that electrically stimulating the nerve around the external ear will also stimulate the internal vagus nerve. If it does, then investigators hope that this will help the treatment of patients with nausea and vomiting and disordered stomach function. Investigators also hope to be able to measure the activity of the vagus nerve when it is stimulated in other ways. This could help investigators learn more about studying this nerve in the future.