Pulsetto Review in 2023: Can It Relieve Stress and Anxiety?

Pulsetto is a wearable transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation device (tVNS), otherwise known as a non-invasive option for stimulating the vagus nerve. It is compact, user-friendly, and provides therapeutic benefits.

The whole Pulsetto system consists of a wearable device around your neck — the Pulsetto itself. Then, electrode gel which is liberally applied to the neck area, where the electrodes would touch your skin. And finally, the mobile app which you can readily download.

Within this Pulsetto review, we will give our comprehensive take on whether Pulsetto actually works, grants its claimed benefits, and is worthy of your attention.

Quick review of Pulsetto

Pulsetto exhibits several properties and bears certain utility to those experiencing stress, anxiety, burnout, pain, or sleep difficulties.

Here are some of the landmark characteristics of Pulsetto tVNS device:

What is Pulsetto and how does it work?

Pulsetto is a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation device that is not only cost-effective, but very comfortable to wear during simple daily routines, not requiring excessive physical effort.

You put Pulsetto on your neck once it is sufficiently lubed with the electrode gel provided with the Pulsetto package. This gel is the same gel used in ultrasound examinations, thus most people should already be familiar with it.

Once put, Pulsetto is ready to be turned on. You pair it with the mobile application that you download via Google Play or iOS App Store. The app contains 5 stimulation programs, targeting 5 different needs, and 9 stimulation frequency levels. These programs include the following:

• Anxiety
• Burnout
• Pain management
• Sleep
• Stress

Once the desired program and frequency level is chosen, Pulsetto starts emitting an electric pulse via its electrodes connected to your skin, providing a slight skin tingling sensation. Thereafter, the electrical signals travel through the vagus nerve to the brain, influencing brain activity and other physiological functions.

Pros and cons of Pulsetto

What can Pulsetto help with?

As a tVNS device, Pulsetto may aid in reducing anxiety levels, managing pain, enhancing sleep quality, and decreasing stress. Pulsetto’s mobile app covers all known tVNS benefits by modulating the frequency of its electrical signals.

We shall cover 4 of these potential benefits.

Reduced anxiety levels

Reducing anxiety levels with the use of Pulsetto involves stimulating the vagus nerve to alter brain chemistry non-invasively. This stimulation triggers the release of calming neurotransmitters, which counteract the body’s stress responses.

As a result, the individual may experience a decrease in anxiety symptoms, fostering a sense of tranquility and promoting more effective emotional regulation, thereby enhancing overall mental balance.

However, individual responses may vary, and further research is encouraged to understand the full scope of tVNS’s anxiety reduction utility.

Pain relief

Pulsetto can also be used for pain management. Scientific studies suggest that tVNS can modulate pain perception by stimulating the vagus nerve, which interacts with areas of the brain responsible for pain processing.

This non-invasive technique helps alleviate chronic pain, improving the quality of life.

However, the extent of relief can vary among individuals, warranting further research.

Better sleep quality

Scientific research suggests that tVNS devices, such as Pulsetto, can improve sleep quality. The non-invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve may impact the brain’s sleep-regulating areas, promoting a more restful, higher-quality sleep.

This process can potentially alleviate sleep disorders and improve overall sleep patterns.

However, individual results may vary, and continued research is needed to fully grasp the extent of tVNS’s benefits for sleep improvement.

Stress management

According to scientific research, tVNS devices, like Pulsetto, help manage stress levels. It does so by non-invasively stimulating the vagus nerve, which may influence the body’s stress response system.

The process fosters relaxation, reducing heart rate, and can potentially mitigate the negative effects of chronic stress on physical and mental health.

However, individual effects may vary, and ongoing research is necessary to fully comprehend tVNS’s role in stress management.

Does Pulsetto have side effects?

Pulsetto tVNS is generally considered safe, but some users may experience minor side effects:

• Fainting
• Headache
• Heart palpitation
• Itching or redness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neuropharyngitis
• Tingling or prickling of theskin
• Vocal hoarseness

As with any treatment, individual responses can vary, and not everyone will experience the same effects.

People with certain health conditions, including heart issues, epilepsy, or those with an active implanted device within their bodies should be cautious and consult a healthcare provider before using Pulsetto to ensure it is a safe and appropriate treatment option for them.

How much does Pulsetto cost?

Pulsetto offers a couple of purchase plans for customers. Basically, there are a “most popular”, and “one time payment” plans:

Moreover, Pulsetto offers a subscription option for the Anxietless educational program — $23.39 for a 1-month plan, $52.35 for a 3-month plan, and $69.90 for a 6-month plan.

Regardless of the plan you choose to purchase, Pulsetto offers a 21-day money back guarantee, and after those initial 21 days, only accepts returns on devices purchased directly from their website.

How soon can you expect results after using Pulsetto?

Typically, the timeline for seeing results from any tVNS can vary greatly among individuals, and it often depends on the specific condition being treated, or a specific benefit being sought after.

Some people may start to notice subtle improvements in mood, sleep quality, or pain levels within a few weeks of consistent use. However, for others, more significant benefits may take several weeks or even a few months to become apparent.

In this case, Pulsetto provider claims that “the use effect varies depending on the individual’s health condition and severity of the symptoms but usually occurs within 1–30 days. The elderly with severe body imbalances and people with severe symptoms experience rapid effects within 1–3 days, while healthy people may experience the effects after 30 days.”

Pulsetto reviews: what are the customers saying?

Since the Pulsetto device is still a novelty on the tVNS markets, unbiased customer opinions are quite scarce.

Generally, Pulsetto users tend to give positive feedback. Some have experienced a decrease in migraines, to the point where other tVNS devices, more established ones, did not help, whereas Pulsetto did.

Moreover, the lower price and instant customer service seem to be positive aspects for Pulsetto users as well.

Finally, specifically “Anxiety” and “Sleep” programs have shown a potential among the customer base to reduce stress and increase focus while leading heavily scheduled lives.

However, despite the benefits mentioned above, some clients have experienced only mild effects, and only after 3 or 4 weeks after using Pulsetto. Also, a small fraction of customers have encountered discomfort on their carotid artery areas of the neck, to the point of increasing anxiety, rather than decreasing it.

Pulsetto alternatives

For those seeking alternatives to the Pulsetto device, consider these tVNS devices:

• Apollo
• Hapbee
• Neuvana
• Hoolest

The Apollo tVNS device offers 7 unique modes with intensity adjustments and integrates with other health software like Apple Health or Oura Ring. However, it is relatively expensive and has a short battery life.

The Hapbee device employs ultra-low radio frequency technology with 6 distinct modes and offers discounts for certain users but requires a still environment for effectiveness.

The Neuvana Xen device is the most comfortable when moving with 3 modes linked to sound, although it is expensive and is more complex to set up than others.

Finally, the Hoolest VeRelief Prime is unique as it targets several nerve types and requires manual operation, with research backing but it requires a continuous electrode supply.

You can freely read more about what we think the best vagus nerve stimulation devices are.

Pulsetto review conclusion

In two parts, we summarize and distinguish what we like and what we do not like about the Pulsetto tVNS device:

What we like

Pulsetto device comes with adjustable stimulation parameters, allowing for customization of intensity and frequency. It is also relatively cost-effective in comparison to similar devices on the market and is FCC-certified.

It seems to us, Pulsetto's supportive customer service and 21-day money-back guarantee also contribute to its appeal, as does the fact that it includes a range of stimulation programs and levels.

What we don't like

In our opinion, despite its many advantages, Pulsetto does require a continuous supply of electrode gel, which may be inconvenient for some users. It is also not suitable for use during periods of extensive movement, such as walking.

We also think some users may experience discomfort when using the device on sensitive areas of the neck, such as the carotid artery.

Finally, some users have reported only mild effects or discomfort, suggesting individual responses can vary significantly.