01 / Morning ritual
Wearable
Peace.
Your mind starts with your nervous system. Give it fifteen minutes to reset.
ZenBud Series 2 · Focused ultrasound
Science you can feel.
Fifteen quiet minutes of focused ultrasound at the ear, designed to help your nervous system shift down. Less stress. Deeper sleep. A steadier baseline.
The premise
Your nervous system sets the tone for everything you feel. Most days it stays in high gear. ZenBud gives it fifteen quiet minutes to shift down.
Wearable
02 / The Atelier Edit
Made to be seen.
Built to be felt.
Matte black, quietly engineered. Made in Rochester, NY.
03 / Quiet luxury
Calm is the new statement piece.
Worn in the palazzo, the garden, the everyday.
04 / Fifteen minutes, daily
Fifteen minutes.
Beautifully kept.
Focused ultrasound at the ear, in a ritual you'll want to keep.
05 / Garden hour
Peace,
tailored.
The 15-minute downshift
Watch the noise
settle.
One session, visualized. As focused ultrasound reaches the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, the body has a chance to move out of fight-or-flight and toward rest. Pair ZenBud with any wearable and see your own trends over time.
Stress load · Session
Baseline
0/100
Elapsed
00:00
0:003:006:009:0012:0015:00
Calm indexToday
0Calm
Sessions0
Streak0 d
Time0 min
HRV trend · 14 days+0%
0MS
Resting HR
0BPM
Ch L 0.00
Ch R 0.00
Clock 00:00:00.0
Illustrative data · not a measurement
01/ 04
Signal path · illustrative schematic
01 · The ear
It starts at the ear.
A branch of the vagus nerve runs close to the surface of the outer ear. ZenBud's transducers sit right there and deliver gentle, focused ultrasound. No needles. No electrodes. Nothing to feel but quiet.
02 · The vagus nerve
A quiet signal travels inward.
The vagus nerve is the main line of your parasympathetic system, the side responsible for rest, digestion and recovery. Stimulation at the ear gives it a nudge.
03 · The brainstem
The brainstem listens.
Signals reach the brainstem, a hub that helps set your body's stress response. That is where the shift from high alert toward calm begins.
04 · The body
Your body downshifts.
Breathing slows. Heart rate settles. HRV, a marker of recovery, has room to rise. 15 minutes a day, built into a routine you can feel.
Fifteen minutes later
From stressed out,
stretched thin,
to calm in fifteen minutes.
Let go of the pressure. Be more present for your family.
Drag to compare
ZenBud Series 2
Engineered
for simplicity.
No app. No subscription. No buttons. No battery to charge. Put it on, plug it into any USB-C port, and it runs. Focused ultrasound sits behind the blue silicone pads in each earcup. Designed and built in-house in Rochester, NY.
Over-ear cushions
Zip travel case
Blue silicone pads
15 minPer session
Over-earCushioned fit
USB-CPlug-in power
CECompliant
In the box
Everything you need.
Nothing you don't.
- ZenBud Series 201
- Zip travel case02
- USB-C cable + controller03
- User manual04
01 Headset
02 Case
CushionsWear it anywhere
Calm in as little
as 5 minutes.
Short on time? You can drop it to 5–10 minutes and still feel the shift. But 15–20 minutes is the sweet spot for your best results.
Peer-reviewed research
0.0%
0Participants100
In ZenBud's 2025 peer-reviewed pilot study, 78.6% of participants reported that daily five-minute sessions somewhat or greatly impacted their quality of life.
JMIR Neurotechnology · 2025 pilot study
Read the research
Heard on
Podcast · Ep. 1355
The Human Upgrade with Dave Asprey
Guest episode on focused ultrasound and the vagus nerve.
Podcast · Ep. 392
The Nat Niddam Podcast
Guest episode on anxiety, the vagus nerve and nervous system regulation.
Practitioners
Trusted by practitioners
Physical therapists and wellness practitioners build ZenBud into their recovery routines.
Experts
The experts
who love it.
Biohackers, scientists and practitioners who work with the nervous system every day, in their own words.
01 / 10
The ZenBud uses ultrasound to stimulate my vagus nerve so I can roll easy into my next event, keeping me grounded, clear, and focused.
Dave Asprey*Father of Biohacking
DL
I’ve been using vagus nerve simulators for years in my practice, the Zen Bud is by far the easiest device to use, very reliable and our patients love them.
Dr. LawrencePractitioner · verified buyer
SD
I’ve used a lot of the biggest nerve stimulators, but it wasn’t harsh. It was comfortable… Then I got up and I realized how clear I was.
Dr. Sean DrakeDC, MS · Chiropractor
VIDEO · 0:09
“If you’re not doing something to regulate your nervous system, you probably should start.”
Dr. Aumatma S. · Holistic practitionerMK
I am impressed by the miniaturised architecture of the device, the user-friendly design, and the robustness of the system… Overall, this product is a major advancement for the field of noninvasive neuromodulation.
Dr. Marcus KaiserPhD, University of Nottingham
Unlocking the nervous system is your key to wellness.
Christine Smith*Functional medicine practitioner & Doctor of Chiropractic
VIDEO · 0:26
“Every time I’ve used it, I feel a lot calmer.”
Awais S. · Integrative medicine practitionerMY
I’ve tried countless tools to optimize recovery and focus. ZenBud surprised me. After just a few sessions, I felt noticeably calmer and more centered. It’s now part of my nightly wind-down.
Dr. Mark YoungDFM, PhD
I’ve really been enjoying ZenBud. It helps me feel more focused and calm throughout the day.
Nathalie Niddam*Certified holistic nutritionist
TA
ZenBud is amazing and so easy to use.
Teemu ArinaBiohacker
Practitioner? ZenBud works alongside the care you already give.
Partner with ZenBud*Paid partner. Individual experiences vary.
Reviews & stories
Quiet evenings,
in their words.
4.623 verified reviews
37video stories
from real people
from real people
45days to try it
at home
at home
VIDEO · 0:27
“Enter a really deep meditation state, just entirely effortlessly.”
Pedro J. · FounderSo far I’m loving the Zen Bud
“After just a few days I’m noticing that my sleep is better. It’s a calmness that steals upon your being in an unsuspecting way. Also, love that it’s not tied to an app on my phone.”
Philip R.Verified buyer
VIDEO · 0:37
“There’s no shocking… and not have to put gel on my neck.”
Michael D. · Switched from an electrical device
VIDEO · 0:11
“I just felt very in the present moment.”
Amber S. · Program directorA well-designed, very comfortable device
“No need to program anything, just wear and switch on. Much more comfortable than the electrical stim device.”
Sintip P.Verified buyer
VIDEO · 0:15
“I use them for five minutes every day while I listen to a podcast.”
Maria T. · Attorneyworks fantastically
“It takes a little bit to settle in, but the feeling of calm is palpable.”
James A.Verified buyer
VIDEO · 0:26
“Every time I’ve used it, I feel a lot calmer.”
Awais S. · Integrative medicine practitionerCalming and great for sleep
“Calming and great for sleep, while allowing to listen to your favorite music.”
Farshid R.Verified buyer
VIDEO · 0:16
“Overall, I feel really grounded.”
Aaron · Wellness practitionereasy to use-no friction to this habit
“Easy to use, has an indicator light, no need for subscription and techy app.”
Amal J.Verified buyer
VIDEO · 0:16
“It’s been a long weekend, but I feel really good.”
Aimee A. · Occupational therapy clinicSignificant improvement
“Benefits of deep meditation without the effort. I have been biohacking for 10 years and not many things have moved the needle as quickly as this.”
Aaron M.Verified buyer
VIDEO · 0:09
“If you’re not doing something to regulate your nervous system, you probably should start.”
Dr. Aumatma S. · Holistic practitionerWorth it
“I really enjoy using the Zenbud and have been using it for months. I normally use it before bed while listening to a meditation track on my phone.”
Bart H.Verified buyer
LOVE! Very comfortable
“LOVE! Very comfortable with the headphones. Love you can plug it into your phone.”
Dr. Jen P.Verified buyer
Reviews from verified ZenBud buyers. Videos filmed at live demo events. Individual experiences vary.See all 23 reviews
ZenBud Series 2
$459or 4 interest-free
payments of $114.75
HSA/FSA eligible*
payments of $114.75
HSA/FSA eligible*
- Over-ear headset with focused ultrasound
- USB-C cable with built-in controller · no app, no battery
- Zip travel case and user manual
- CE compliant · general wellness
45-day money-back guarantee
45 days from delivery, any reason.
FAQ
Questions,
answered.
Not sure ZenBud fits your day? Answer a few quick questions and see.
Take the 60-second checkWill I feel anything?
The stimulation is subtle, so you should not expect a noticeable sensation. A blue light on the back of the controller shows the ultrasound is on. You can play music or a podcast through ZenBud like regular headphones.
How long and how often should I use it?
Aim for 15 minutes, once or twice a day: 15–20 minutes is the sweet spot for your best results. Short on time? 5–10 minutes still lets you feel the shift. Every session switches itself off at 30 minutes.
Is there any setup?
No. There is no app, nothing to pair, no battery to charge and no button to press. Put the headset on, plug it into your phone or laptop with USB-C, and that’s all.
How is this different from electrical vagus nerve stimulators?
Electrical devices send current through your skin, usually with gel on your neck. ZenBud uses gentle focused ultrasound at the outer ear instead: no shocks, no gel, no twitching. See the full comparison.
Is ZenBud safe?
ZenBud is compliant with CE standards, and every unit is hydrophone-tested before it ships. It’s a general wellness device, not a medical device, and it hasn’t been reviewed or cleared by the FDA. Use it only as a passenger, never while driving.
What if it isn’t for me?
You have 45 days from delivery to send it back for a full refund, for any reason (return shipping is on you). A 1-year warranty covers defects.
More questions? See all FAQs