Pulsetto Review

What is Pulsetto? A brief overview

Pulsetto is a wearable device designed to stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s relaxation response and overall well-being. The device uses high-intensity bilateral neck stimulation, which is untested for efficacy and safety, to target the cervical branch of the vagus nerve in the neck, aiming to reduce stress, anxious thoughts, and burnout, while also potentially improving sleep and alleviating chronic pain.

Key features:

• Price: $269 USD
• Paid app with subscription and programs to target specific issues
• Design is difficult to adjust on the neck
• Not very portable
• Battery life only lasts for one week
• Claims quick-acting results in 4 minutes
• Uses bilateral neck stimulation which is untested and may carry the risk of cardiac side effects
• Permanent discounts on the website seem to be fake
• They seem to copy user testimonials in ads from other companies

Pros and cons of Pulsetto

While Pulsetto does have a few benefits, the lack of scientific research and the risks of bilateral neck stimulation were big red flags for me. 

Benefits: 

• Easy to set up and use
• App with programs to target specific issues
• Claims quick-acting results in 4 minutes
• 2-year warranty
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Drawbacks:

• Not backed by peer-reviewed scientific research
• Paid app is a subscription model
• Battery life only lasts one week
• Bilateral neck stimulation is untested and may cause cardiac side effects
• Design is difficult to adjust on the neck

How it works

Pulsetto is a non-invasive VNS device that works by sending gentle electrical pulses to the vagus nerve in your neck. When Pulsetto delivers these tiny pulses, it’s supposed to activate the vagus nerve, which can trigger your body’s relaxation response. You simply wear the device around your neck, turn the device on, and use the smartphone app to control your preferred settings.

I was curious about using Pulsetto’s app for specific issues like anxious thoughts and back pain, so I thought it was cool how they created different programs to use. Still, it’s not clear what those programs are doing and if they’re actually targeting the issues they claim. Another thing I like about the app is a sound library of binaural beats and auditory soundscapes to produce a calming effect on the brain.

What are the benefits of Pulsetto? 

Pulsetto claims to help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, improve energy levels, improve cognitive function, and calm the nervous system. They say that these benefits might not be immediate, but happen over time with regular use. Personally, I found the device to be calming and relaxing, but not much more than that. 

Here are the key benefits that Pulsetto claims:

Slowed heart rate

Some research suggests vagus nerve stimulation may contribute to a slower heart rate. Pulsetto’s approach to stimulating the vagus nerve could potentially play a role here, but more research is needed.

Reduced stress and anxious thoughts

According to user reviews, this seems to be the most reliable benefit that Pulsetto offers. Users report feeling more relaxed, calm, and at ease while using Pulsetto—which was true for me too. However, while studies have shown vagus nerve stimulation to decrease stress and anxious thoughts, there is no direct scientific evidence from Pulsetto’s device demonstrating this effect. 

Improved sleep 

Pulsetto offers a specific program for improving sleep in their app. And vagus nerve functioning is linked to better sleep quality. 

A well-functioning vagus nerve is linked to better sleep quality. Pulsetto’s dedicated sleep program also aims to stimulate the nerve in a way that encourages relaxation and prepares the body for restful sleep.

Disclaimer

Once again, none of these benefits have been proven through peer-reviewed scientific research. Pulsetto is publishing its own research on the device, which is unreliable and ultimately can’t be fully trusted. More studies are needed to confirm their claims.

What is vagus nerve stimulation?

Vagus nerve stimulation is a groundbreaking approach to enhancing quality of life. The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in the functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system, so stimulating it effectively can lead to a significant reduction in stress, improved mood, enhanced cognitive function, improved gastrointestinal function, and more—all without drugs or psychotherapy. 

In the past, vagus nerve stimulation required surgical intervention. A device would need to be implanted in the chest with wires running up to the neck to stimulate the nerve directly. However, this method is costly, invasive, and carries surgical risks. 

Does Pulsetto have side effects?

While Pulsetto is generally considered safe, it’s important to be aware that Pulsetto does not have wearable device certifications or evidence that it activates the vagus nerve.

Pulsetto uses high-intensity bilateral neck stimulation, which is untested for efficacy and safety. Since we didn’t find any scientific studies for the device, there might be a risk of cardiovascular side effects, stress reactions, and potential damage to the vagus nerve.

In user reviews, most people report side effects of discomfort, irritation or redness, mild pain, muscle twitching, or a tingling sensation. These are often minor and resolve on their own following therapy. 

However, the method of stimulating the vagus nerve through the neck is unstudied and carries the potential for serious side effects. If you’re absolutely intent on trying Pulsetto, I recommend consulting with your health care professional to make sure you don’t have an existing health symptoms that could put you at risk. 

How much does Pulsetto cost?

Probably the key benefit of Pulsetto is its price and ease of use. The device only costs $269 USD, however it comes with a premium app that requires a small monthly payment. You could also opt to use the free app, but it has limited features.

Pulsetto also offers 2-year warranty and money-back guarantee. So if you’re not getting the results you’d like after 30 days, you can send it back for a full refund.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the device:

When can users expect results from Pulsetto?

The short answer is that it varies quite a lot depending on your existing health and how often you’re using the device. Results with Pulsetto vary depending on each person and the specific issue being addressed. Many users report feeling calmer or more relaxed after just a few sessions, typically within the first week.

According to user feedback, consistent use over several weeks is necessary to see more substantial improvements, particularly in areas like stress reduction, anxious thoughts relief, and sleep quality. However, for some people, the benefits aren’t necessarily coming from the device itself, but from the moment of relaxation they’re taking while using it. 

Without scientific studies, it’s impossible to give a definitive answer about the results of using Pulsetto. In my research, it appears to be very hit-or-miss. 

Pulsetto alternatives

Vagus nerve stimulation is an emerging, yet growing market, with an increasing number of devices available for those seeking to harness its therapeutic benefits at home. In selecting a device, it’s important to do the proper research and make the choice that’s right for you. Most importantly, you need to be sure that the device you’re researching has been scientifically proven to safely and effectively target the vagus nerve. Otherwise, you could be putting your health at risk.

Sending electrical signals to the vagus nerve that have not been evaluated in scientific studies and approved by institutions such as the FDA or EMA (CE) may contribute to the ineffectiveness of the therapy or put users at risk of causing permanent damage to health.

Robust scientific research is the only way to verify if a device actually targets the vagus nerve and provides the benefits it claims. These are the main competitors in the current market:

• Nurosym. Nurosym is the first CE-Marked non-invasive vagal neuromodulation system in my evaluation, which means that its safety and efficacy have been scientifically validated. Unlike other devices on the list, it’s backed by 40+ peer-reviewed scientific studies and is the most extensively studied and utilized non-invasive VNS device by researchers and health care professional. Nurosym is trusted by leading medical institutions and used by hundreds of health care professional worldwide. While it’s more expensive, it is far and away the most reputable device on the consumer market.
• Gammacore . GammaCore is a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator specifically designed to provide relief from headache and cluster headaches. It’s a simple and easy-to-use device that’s applied externally to the neck to deliver gentle electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve. Unfortunately, it is only available in the US. For those outside the US or seeking broader health benefits from vagus nerve stimulation, GammaCore may not be the optimal choice.
• Sensate. This is a simpler sensory device that claims to stimulate the vagus nerve through the chest. However, Sensate is not a VNS device. It’s more of a relaxation tool. There are no peer-reviewed scientific studies demonstrating its efficacy. For a vibrational gadget the price is extremely hefty. You might be better off getting a massager.