Hi @pando ,
Your note about the vagus nerve and Qigong is very interesting. I will look it up.
I have stumbled across Qigong by accident (or possibly design by YouTube as it started recommending Qigong videos to me). I am also looking at Yoga, Yogic breathing etc. By the sounds of it you are quite a way down this path and benefitting from it 
Hello Manji,
Yes Iām into TCM (I have a Chinese Dr who visits me weekly - he played a big role in my immediate post stroke recovery, in fact) and Qigong. A good first read is āThe Root of Chinese Qigongā by Jwing-Ming, but itās a hefty tome. I study Qigong and Qi through necessity, for my health & ongoing recovery. Our brain runs on 20 watts of electricity, and we are primarily electrical beings ; Qi is bio-electricity, and managing it / taking control of it can help us in many waysā¦
good luck, Roland
Re the TRICEPS trial.
I had an assessment on WhatsApp today. I wonāt qualify for the trial because my arm function is too good. I had a feeling that might be the case but hopefully theyāll keep my details on file for anything else that might come up.
I know Iām really blessed to have a stroke arm that functions very well, even though it feels like c***
Trace
Oh thatās a shame but hopefully something else will come along that is more suited to your level of capability.
Hi @Trace57. I applied to take part in the TRICEPS programme as Iām really struggling with tingling/prickling & numbness in my hand and foot, big toe especially, following a lacunar infarct. I have been prescribed medication but it made no difference whatsoever.
They contacted me the next day, and I know I should feel blessed however, sadly I was turned down as I had ātoo much movement in my arm/handā.
Good luck with your application, I hope it is successful.
@pando please can you point me in the right direction to learn more about how to access the vagus nerve? I truly believe in itās power and want to fully explore, but my yoga teacher canāt explain how to, Google just wants to sell me expensive machines and my doctor has referred me to a pain management clinic who have given me an appointment date in 12 months time!
Sure Badger,
Thereās no quickie way to get in touch but here goes :
Do you know my list of therapies ? How familiar are you with these ?
Good luck, and hope you make progress, ciao, Roland
Hello @Badger18.
I was told today that I donāt qualify as, like you, my hand function is too good. Iām ok about it and wasnāt really expecting to be recruited but felt it was worth a try.
You have my sympathy where altered sensations are concerned. Iāve tried Amitriptyline and medical cannabis for tingling, fizzing and numbness to no avail. I canāt describe the sensations as painful, although they are uncomfortable but Iāve come to the conclusion that pain medications do not work for sensation ( not for me, at any rateš). My Neuro therapist says my muscles are tight and possibly compressing nerves which might explain why the sensations in the hand have increased. So weāre working on loosening up the muscles with stretching exercises. It does seem that there will often be improvement in sensation once the muscles are working properly, so exercise is a great way to go forward. A 12 month wait for the pain clinic is too long so I hope you can find some strategies to help in the meantime. Focusing on being distracted can be helpful but itās never enough to become unaware, unfortunately.
Trace
Thank you so much Roland for all the information. I shall have to add a reading hour to my day. I wish Iād asked ages ago. Iāve wasted so much time googling.
Thank you Trace . Iām sorry you too did not make the program. Thank you for the advice which is very helpful as Iām seeing a neuro physio this week so fingers crossed
@Badger18 Hope it goes well for you. Keep us all posted!
Trace
Hi Badger
Chat GPT is good online, but only standard answers
Reddit has many r/subreddits you can browse / ask
I think vagus is a question of breathing technique, and meditation, and gradual awareness.
There are many good YTube triggers, like yawning or looking into the cornersā¦ when you stimulate the vagus you gain some more control. it work 2 ways ā¦ messages from brain and messages to brain
indeed a fascinating adventure to take control !! good luck, R
Is it safe ? Literally terrified of anything that mentions brain these days 
. Iām interested but scared.
Is awareness about your vagus nerve safe? YES. Can it be misusedā¦ one day at a much later stageā¦ possibly you could fool around with your body, but thatās why we have the Autonomous Nervous System with a few failsafes built in to protect us. To encourage you Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest & digest mode) there is no better way than learning about your vagus nerve. Maybe itās essential, if you want the tools to look after your mindbody.
Good luck, Roland
https://www.youtube.com/@Start-Again-xyz