Nick Fournie’s life was derailed by severe depression at just 24 years old.
Married to his childhood sweetheart and without any warning signs of mental health issues, Nick’s outlook on life changed dramatically one day while mowing the lawn. This sudden shift plunged him and his wife, Mary, into a decades-long battle against his debilitating condition. Despite trying over ten antidepressant medications, Nick found no relief, often suffering from severe side effects, including psychotic episodes and paranoia.
Nearly 20 years ago, Nick’s sister introduced him to a groundbreaking treatment called vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
Approved by the FDA in 2005, VNS was designed for adults whose depression persisted despite trying at least four antidepressant treatments, reported CNN Health. This approach centers on the vagus nerve—the body’s largest nerve bundle, connecting the brain to various organs, including the heart, lungs, and intestines.
Often described as a “bidirectional superhighway,” the vagus nerve relays critical signals between the brain and body, making it a promising target for mood regulation.
Under the care of Dr. Charles Conway, Nick joined a VNS clinical trial. A small pulse generator, similar to a cardiac pacemaker, was implanted under his collarbone. This device sends regular electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, which then stimulates brain areas involved in mood regulation. The standard treatment involves a 30-second pulse every five minutes. Combined with two alternating antidepressants, VNS gave Nick what he describes as a new lease on life.
“It completely changed my life. I find joy every single day,” Nick said.
Mary credits the treatment with saving their lives together. While it’s not a magic bullet and requires ongoing work, including behavior modifications and coping techniques, the results have been transformative. Nick’s ability to feel happiness again has reshaped their relationship and his daily outlook.
Experts like neuroscientist Dr. Bashar Badran emphasize the vagus nerve’s potential as a therapeutic target. With over 100,000 individual nerve fibers, its vast reach offers unique opportunities to influence brain function and mood. VNS works by leveraging this connectivity, providing new hope for individuals with treatment-resistant depression.