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Does anyone else do this?

5 replies

tackytriceratops · 13/09/2025 16:54

Rub your ear outwards, pressing it against the skull so that it’s warmed up.

fold your outer ear into your ear canal, again where it’s nice and warm.*

ive been learning about vagus nerve stuff here and there and apparently ears can be a way to stimulate it. (I think only one side?)

but I’ve done this since childhood. I’d suck the thumb of my right hand and twiddle my ear. When I was bribed to stop sucking my thumb, I continued with the ear thing.

no idea if anyone else notices or does the same!

I’m nearly 50. It’s definitely - calming thing.

*im hypermobile and my ears are also very bendy!

OP posts:
beserene · 13/09/2025 16:57

Not sure but I’m always playing with my ears! I do something similar. Sort of folding. I tug my ear lobes and rub behind my ear. Generally like to fiddle. Didn’t realise it was vagus nerve related but kind of makes sense!

tackytriceratops · 13/09/2025 16:59

Yes I tug them too!

OP posts:
tackytriceratops · 13/09/2025 17:01

apparently it’s left ear for stimulation machines (there’s lots of research into this currently for various things from depression to rheumatoid arthritis.)

OP posts:
RockyRogue1001 · 13/09/2025 21:15

Just tried to do this.

Maybe I've got small lobes because with my thumb behind, pushing forwards, it struggles to touch my skull.

Works if I pusit backwards?

tackytriceratops · 14/09/2025 12:03

Yes I massage outwards to the edge of the ear on the large part of the ear, pressing against the skin behind.

I know my ears are more bendy and flat than most so the folding in may be a me thing.

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