The terminals of the vagus nerve are also stimulated, causing the heart to beat more slowly.
Professor Schafer recommended the use of atropine prior to the administration of a general anaesthetic, in cases where the action of the vagus nerve upon the heart is to be dreaded; and there is little doubt of the value of this precaution, which has no attendant disadvantages, in all such cases.
The nature of this is not very easy to analyse, but as mental depression is closely associated with irritation of the vagus nerve and weakening of the circulation, it seems not at all unlikely that mountain air acts by accelerating the pulse and quickening the circulation, and thus creating a sense of well-being.
The vagus nerve is used to slow down the heart.
He also has a vagus nerve stimulator implant that he thought might be affected by any radiation from a computer.