‍The Science of Neurostimulation: A Dual Approach

Sparrow Ascent uses a sophisticated technique known as transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN), — which is a long, technical term, but stick with me. Basically, it involves targeting and stimulating two specific nerves on and around the ear.

Why the ear, you ask? It's home to branches of the Vagus nerve and the trigeminal nerves.

Two nerves, really? They're like the dynamic duo of your nervous system, playing crucial roles in calming your body and mind.

The Vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system. Think of it as the body's natural chill pill. When you're going through opioid withdrawal, your body is like a car with its gas pedal stuck to the floor – everything is in overdrive. Sparrow Ascent acts like a gentle brake. Stimulating the Vagus nerve helps balance out that overactive sympathetic nervous system (the one responsible for your fight or flight response), easing those nasty withdrawal symptoms.

Enter the trigeminal nerve – another key player. This nerve is a major sensory pathway in your head and face. By stimulating the trigeminal nerve, Sparrow Ascent can potentially influence the pain pathways that are often in overdrive during opioid withdrawal.

A Symphony of Neurostimulation

Because Sparrow Ascent works on both nerve pathways, it’s like a symphony of stimulation where combining different elements gives you something better than each element alone. This combination can lead to changes in neurotransmitter levels – those chemicals in your brain that opioids mess with. By tweaking these levels, Sparrow Ascent can help alleviate both physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.

Real-World Impact: More Than Just Theory

This kind of opioid withdrawal relief isn't just theoretical. The effects of the technology behind Sparrow Ascent, have been observed in real people dealing with real withdrawal symptoms.

Let's dive into the solid science behind tAN therapy (and Sparrow Ascent).

In 2019, the clinical team at Spark Biomedical joined forces with a team of physicians and clinicians at an Austin-based recovery center to study the effectiveness of Sparrow in reducing symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal. 

The study involved 31 volunteer clinical trial participants aged 18-65 who had a history of opioid use or misuse, both prescription and non-prescription. They were split into two groups – one received active transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) along with their usual treatment, while the other group received sham tAN (no stimulation) before switching to the real deal​​.

Real Results: Numbers Don't Lie

The results? Well, they’re pretty impressive​​.

The main goal was to see a significant drop in the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score – a tool used to measure the severity of withdrawal symptoms. The study showed that Sparrow Ascent begins to provide significant opioid withdrawal symptom relief in as little as 30 minutes. After 60 minutes of active tAN therapy, the average COWS score dropped by a whopping 45.9%​​. That includes dramatic drops in symptoms like gastric upset, restlessness, body chills, anxiety, and bone and joint aches, among others. 84% of participants felt mild to no withdrawal symptoms after 60 minutes of therapy.

This isn't just a small win; it's a pretty big leap toward making the first step into recovery easier.

More Than Just Opioid Withdrawal

But there's more – the study didn't just focus on opioid withdrawal. It also looked at changes in depression and PTSD symptoms – sometimes an underlying cause of opioid misuse. By Day 5, there was a notable reduction in both, with 42.9% of participants showing a meaningful decrease in depression scores and 35.7% in PTSD scores​​. That’s a win-win!

A Step Towards Healing

Now, let’s be perfectly honest. Sparrow Ascent is not about completely erasing withdrawal. That would be a miracle. It is about making the opioid withdrawal symptoms and process manageable and giving individuals a fighting chance to get through one of the toughest parts of recovery.

What makes SparrowAscent different is it’s a scientifically driven approach that taps into the body’s own nervous system to ease the discomfort of opioid withdrawal. This innovative technology isn't just about helping people through withdrawal; it's about restoring balance and paving the way for a healthier path forward.

Taking The Next Steps

If you're interested in learning more about Sparrow Ascent or wondering if it's the right fit for you, we encourage you to look around this site. Be sure to watch our patient testimonials to hear from them how Sparrow Ascent helped in their opioid withdrawal treatment.

Or, if you’re ready to start the withdrawal process, take our qualification quiz to see if a Sparrow Ascent prescription via telehealth is right for you. Your path to recovery is personal, and Sparrow Ascent might be the companion you need.