The bizarre nervous system hack (used by monks for 1,000+ years)

Last week I told a client to start humming to reduce his anxiety.

But he looked at me like I'd suggested he join a cult.

Here’s the problem…

Your vagus nerve (the longest cranial nerve in your body) controls whether you feel calm or wired.

When the vagus nerve is underactive, you’re stuck in sympathetic overdrive. Which results in symptoms like:

• Racing thoughts

• Shallow breathing

• And an anxious feeling that won’t go away.

Most people try to calm down by thinking “positive thoughts” or whatever woo-woo tricks you’re told to do on TikTok. 

But here's what happens while you're trying to "think your way to calm":

Your nervous system stays stuck in overdrive. Your sleep gets worse. That constant background anxiety becomes your new normal.

You start snapping at people you care about. 

You make impulsive decisions you regret later. You reach for substances, food, or distractions to numb the feeling of being perpetually on edge.

Meanwhile, you're walking around with a built-in reset button that actually works…

…But nobody told you how to use it.

Enter humming.

When you hum at 40-60 Hz (the same frequency bees buzz at) you're directly stimulating your vagus nerve through vibration. This triggers your parasympathetic nervous system, which signals to your body:

"You're safe. You can relax now."

Monks have known this for centuries. They didn't chant because it sounded mystical. They chanted because it works.

Now, I know what you’re thinking:

“Brian, I'm not humming, that sounds ridiculous.”

The science behind why humming at 40–60 Hz works so well for nervous system regulation involves two primary biological mechanisms: 

1. Increasing the production of nasal nitric oxide (NO) 

2. Stimulating the vagus nerve. 

The resonant frequency of the paranasal sinuses lies within this range, which amplifies these effects.

Even better is the fact that you don’t have to hum loud.

A quiet, internal hum works just as well. Your nervous system doesn't care about volume, it cares about frequency.

Humming gives your nervous system a vibration massage from the inside out.

The vibrations travel through your chest, throat, and skull, activating the vagus nerve's pathway to calm.

Humming is literally the reset button you never thought you had.

Here’s how to do it the right way:

1. Take a comfortable breath

2. Close your mouth and let out a gentle "mmm" sound

3. Feel the vibration in your chest and throat

4. Continue for 30 seconds to 2 minutes

5. Notice the shift in your nervous system

You don't need to measure or worry about the frequency itself. 

Just hum at whatever pitch feels comfortable and focus on feeling the vibration in your chest. Your nervous system will respond to any gentle humming.

Start with just 30 seconds. That's enough to activate the pathway.

Humming is one of my favorite techniques because you can do it almost anytime, anywhere. If you’re in public and you’re worried about people hearing you hum remember:

You can hum softly to yourself.

Your nervous system will thank you for remembering this ancient technology.

With love and healing,

Brian Maierhofer (Professional Human)

P.S.

Humming is just one technique in a toolkit that goes much deeper. 

Next week, my girlfriend Kimia is launching her Brain-Based Healing Protocol. 

Where I'll be teaching some of my most effective somatic techniques for nervous system regulation. If you want to go beyond the basics, keep an eye out.