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By Mayo Clinic staffBecause vagus nerve stimulation is so new in depression treatment, you and your doctors must carefully consider the pros and cons before using it. It's not known precisely how stimulation of the vagus nerve may improve depression symptoms. And the long-term effects of vagus nerve stimulation are still being studied, and not all side effects may be known yet.
Make sure you understand all of the possible risks and benefits of the surgical procedure and vagus nerve stimulation. Before surgery, you may need to have a medical evaluation with your doctor, psychiatrist or neurosurgeon to make sure it's safe for you and a good option in your case.