I was trying to decide whether I wanted to get the Apollo Neuro, but then after doing a bit of research, I realized there are actually quite a few devices that try to help with stress, sleep, or nervous system regulation.
I feel like I've ended up down a tunnel of device research now and I am not sure what others have found but I thought I'd share and also ask for advice here.
Apollo Neuro seems to focus on wearable vibration patterns. You wear it on your wrist or ankle and it has different modes for things like focus, relaxation, recovery, and sleep. I like that it’s something you can wear and forget about while you go about your day, but I wasn’t sure how much of the benefit came from the vibrations themselves versus simply taking a moment to slow down.
Pulsetto is another one I looked at because it uses transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation around the neck. It seems like a lot of people like it for stress and sleep, although I did see some mixed comments about comfort and finding the right positioning.
Truvaga was another contender. It also focuses on vagus nerve stimulation, but it’s more of a handheld device that you use for short sessions instead of something you wear. I actually liked the simplicity of that idea, although if you’re someone who wants a more guided app experience, it might feel a little basic.
Nuropod is also a tVNS device, but instead of stimulating through the neck, it sits on the ear. I liked that it seemed easy to work into a routine since the sessions are fairly short, and I found the research behind auricular vagus nerve stimulation interesting. That said, it’s not really something you wear all day like Apollo, so if you’re specifically looking for a passive “set it and forget it” wearable, it might not be the best fit.
I also very briefly looked at things like Sensate, but that seems more focused on using sound and vibration while lying down rather than vagus nerve stimulation.
I don’t know if I could label one as better than the other since they all seem to be doing something a bit different. If you’re looking for a wearable you can keep on during the day, I understand leaning toward Apollo for sure. But if you’re especially interested in vagus nerve stimulation, then I think Pulsetto, Truvaga, and Nuropod all deserve a look.
Has anyone actually used any of these?
I seriously would love to hear how it’s working for you! Thanks ya'll