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Gargling vigorously enough that your eyes water slightly engages the same reflex doctors use clinically to check vagal function.—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026 But social-evaluative threat — being watched, judged, and evaluated by others — causes vagal withdrawal.—Amy Cuddy, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026 This response, often referred to as the dive reflex, slows the heart rate and increases vagal activity as the body works to stabilize itself.—Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026 Studies have shown that higher vagal activation predicts better social connections, higher trust, and increased subjective well-being.—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for vagal