The study aims to examine the effects of transcutaneous non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) on symptoms and brain mechanisms in premenopausal women with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is the most well researched and possibly the most effective non-invasive neuromodulation treatment for chronic pain conditions that targets the brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) axis. Participants will be asked to come in for 2 in-clinic visits, at baseline and post treatment. Participants will also be asked to come in 2x/week for 8 consecutive weeks to receive the nVNS treatment. The in-clinic visits will include physical measures, blood draw, saliva sample, and brain MRI. Participants will be asked to collect a stool sample at home and answer online questionnaires regarding, mood, pain, and health behaviors at home, prior to the in-clinic appointments.
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Pain Intensity
Timeframe: From the baseline in-clinic visit through 8 weeks of biweekly visits, assessed immediately before and after each nVNS session.
Pain Unpleasantness
Timeframe: From the baseline in-clinic visit through 8 weeks of biweekly visits, assessed immediately before and after each nVNS session.
Positive and Negative Affect
Timeframe: From the baseline in-clinic visit through 8 weeks of biweekly visits, assessed immediately before and after each nVNS session.