Dr. Harold Stecker, PhD – The Story Behind CES and Ending Long COVID

For thirty years, Dr. Stecker searched for “the better mousetrap” for his patients. Eventually, he found Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation or “CES”. Here’s his story of that journey.

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation as Major Medical Advancement

While he was the therapy supervisor at an outpatient drug treatment program, he invited Dr. Meg Patterson to consult with him. She had been successfully treating drug addicts without pharmaceutical products. Her “micro-stimulation device” was working, and with ongoing treatments, patients stayed drug-free. For Dr. Stecker this was a major step forward.

At the time, Dr. Stecker was dealing with his own addiction – to tobacco. With Dr. Patterson’s assistance and her device, he stopped smoking and has not smoked since – more than 30 years. After these experiences, he believed that micro-stimulation offered a new and extraordinary method for people with addictions.

Several years later, he decided he should design a micro-stimulation device to help those under stress or with compulsive problems. Developing a device was difficult enough. Complying with the regulatory guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration added more roadblocks for him. After some trial and error, the FDA classified the device he developed – Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation – as a class 2 medical device. It was very helpful for stress, drug withdrawal, anxiety, and insomnia. In 2022, the FDA finally gave full approval for CES as a prescription device for anxiety and insomnia.

CES as Treatment for a Variety of Health Issues

Over his career, Dr. Stecker has treated thousands of people with various compulsive behaviors. During this time, other scientists and medical professionals have conducted research validating the CES methodology as an effective treatment regimen for a variety of health issues.

The Vagus Nerve as the Key

Dr. Stecker knew that it worked, but he wanted to understand why CES worked for so many problems beyond sleep and anxiety disorders. Other researchers also sought to find that answer*. It was discovered that the micro-stimulation applied by the CES device has a positive effect on the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is one of the twelve cranial nerves. This single nerve makes up 75% of the parasympathetic nervous system and is a component of the autonomic system. It reaches from the brain, alongside the face by the ear, to the mouth, down the neck, into the chest, and ends in the abdomen.

While some nerves connect to or control one organ, the vagus nerve affects multiple organs, including the pharynx, the larynx, the esophagus, the stomach, and intestines. Along the way, it also impacts the heart. While the vagus nerve is often said to be “the rest and digest system”, it’s more than that. It’s similar to the “fight or flight” response, but in reverse. It is the conscious and unconscious “calming system”. While “fight or flight” is a widespread response, the vagus nerve is more directed and specific.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation by CES as the Method to Address Long COVID

Stimulating the vagus nerve can change and rejuvenate poorly functioning systems. It has been shown to improve oxygenation, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and insomnia, and assist the body’s immune systems.

Since 2020 and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Stecker has been approached by patients seeking to deal with “Long COVID” By applying CES therapy, patients benefitted and reported much improved sleep and restfulness, reduced “brain fog”, reduced inflammation, and an increased overall sense of feeling better.

At the same time, Dr. Stecker recognizes that employing CES therapy, is not a “cure” for COVID or Long COVID, and does not address all symptoms.

Dr. Stecker wants those suffering from Long COVID to know that using the CES device may help them improve vagul tone and see improvements in their sleep and overall health.