Frequently Asked Questions

afVNS applications can be used for improving general health and wellness, but also for specific disease indications (please see scientific studies). Currently, afVNS can be used in adults above 18 years of age. afVNS should not be used in certain situations such as during pregnancy or in persons with active implants (e.g. cochlear implants, vagus nerve stimulators or pacemakers), cerebral shunts, or applied to sore or disease skin. Users with underlying health conditions affecting the cardiac system should ask their medical doctor whether afVNS is suitable for them. For full use instructions and safety information, please see user manuals.

afVNS is a self-applied daily application that can be used in the comfort of your own home. It is an effective therapy that may take some time to see significant benefits. Generally, users will see progressive improvements over several weeks in their health condition.

One of the main benefits of afVNS therapy is accessible use in daily activities. Our technology is engineered to help users maintain their independence and to receive therapy at their convenience e.g. when reading, studying or during meetings. However, afVNS should not be used when operating vehicles, heavy machinery or during any dangerous task that requires your full attention.

As with any type of therapy, the benefits can vary between individuals. afVNS is not an acute (short-term) therapy and may need several weeks for progressive improvements to be seen. What is important is the consistent use of the therapy for achieving the best results.

afVNS is a daily application and the duration of use varies between different health conditions. Typically, for improving general health and wellness the application is used for 1-2 hours per day. For some specific disease indications, afVNS is applied for 4 hours per day, either continuously or in 1 hour intervals throughout the day.

Side effects are uncommon with afVNS therapy but some that may occur are ‘local effects’ at the stimulation site of the ear i.e. skin irritation in the form of redness or itchiness. This can be treated with Over-The-Counter (OTC) skin creams and is reduced by applying the electrode gel before each application.

In rare cases, there may be side effects due to a response of the vagus nerve, which includes headache, nausea and dizziness. If these side effects occur, it is advised to stop afVNS therapy for that day.

Please contact our sales team through our contact form. They will take the time to understand your health condition and see if it is suitable for your needs. Neuropix will find the best way to support you on your journey to better health.

This is not needed. Neuropix will send you a starter pack that includes all the items to get started i.e. controller unit with earbud electrodes, electrode gel and charger. You may purchase any additional accessories if you require.

The controller unit is smaller and lighter than the average smartphone. The actual size is 12.5 cm (L) x 6.5 cm (W) x 3.3 cm (H) and weighs 118 g. It is designed to be portable and very easy to carry.

The earbud electrode is the world’s 1st wireless neurostimulation component. It is wearable for in-ear application. Our engineering team has designed it for delivering gentle electrical pulses that are controlled through the controller unit.

When wearing the earbud ear electrodes, you can start the neurostimulation with the controller unit and set the intensity. The sensation of the electrical pulses should be set to a comfortable level, where the stimulation feels like a ‘tingling’ sensation but should never be painful. The stimulation intensity required may vary between different users.

There is no sound or music from the earbud electrodes. The therapy is delivered as specifically designed electrical pulses that can reach the key nerve fibres of the ear for therapeutic neuromodulation.

This is not needed. The device is pre-set and is ready to use.

Yes. One of the main benefits of afVNS therapy is that it can be used adjunct (together) with medications. As it is non-pharmacological it avoids dangerous drug-drug interactions. The adjunct therapy approach often provides the best results.

For improving general health and wellness, our technology has been optimized for therapy based on rigorous scientific and medical research. As a user, you can control the neurostimulation intensity (i.e. electrical output) of the earbud neurostimulators, which should be felt as a light ‘tingling’ sensation.

afVNS therapy is different to TENS in electrical stimulation patterns and the specific placement of electrodes.

afVNS, also known as ‘tVNS’ or ‘taVNS’, has been scientifically researched to activate specific neural fibres and nerve projections that are known to modulate brain activity through the brain stem – rebalancing neurochemical pathways for better health. TENS application typically uses large electrodes at local nerve fibres on parts of the body to block pain or muscle ache.

It does and it works well! VNS is a clinical application for treating diseases and has been used for over 30 years. With the latest scientific research it has been developed for general health conditions like reducing anxiety, alleviating stress and improving sleep. Please also see our section on scientific data or speak with a Neuropix representative for the latest information.

First remove the earbud electrodes from your ears and switch off the device. Re-check the earbud electrodes for the connectivity status. If the connectivity has been lost, please follow instructions for re-connecting the earbud electrodes to the controller unit. Gently wipe down the earbud electrodes with a hand-wipe and dry with a tissue. Re-apply a thin layer of electrode gel to the electrode tips and place into the ear. You can start the stimulation and slowly adjust the intensity using the controller unit until the intensity level is lightly felt.

afVNS is not currently covered by health insurance but we are always looking to best serve our customers, so please contact our team for the latest information on available packages.