JP Errico, founder of electroCore, is one of those rare inventors pushing the boundaries of science and medicine in leaps. He is known for his pioneering work in neuro-psycho-immunology. He also has made waves through his contributions to neuromodulation, and by challenging traditional views on health, wellness, and the ways we manage our minds and bodies.
Errico’s journey to become a leading figure in medical innovation began during his time at Duke University, where he pursued both a law degree and an engineering degree. It was in a patent-writing class that Errico wrote his first patent. “I actually ended up inventing two things in that class, one of which I gave to a classmate because he couldn’t come up with something,” he shares, describing his early exploration into composite materials and the creation of a self-tuning guitar.
Today, Errico’s work extends far beyond patents and early inventions. He is deeply involved in the field of neuro-psycho-immunology, which he describes as spanning “everything from what happens in gestation that leads to neurodevelopmental issues like autism, schizophrenia, and ADHD, all the way through understanding aging and longevity.” His goal is to understand and manipulate the body’s internal systems—particularly the nervous system—to promote healthier, longer lives.
Errico is especially passionate about the practices we can adopt daily to support good outcomes, emphasizing the value of ancient techniques like yoga, deep breathing, and social bonding. He warns, however, that modern society is increasingly moving away from these healthy habits. “It’s in the news all the time about how food is manufactured…industrial farming techniques that are stripping out nutrients, or food manufacturers stripping out healthy fats and pumping foods full of sugars and carbohydrates,” he notes, adding that these changes might be contributing to neurodevelopmental issues, particularly in children.
Errico founded electroCore to explore how stimulating the vagus nerve could be used to improve health. Initially focused on invasive methods, Errico and his team discovered a way to deliver these benefits non-invasively through a handheld device. “We were initially thinking it was only going to be used in the emergency room, and all of a sudden it was something that people could use in the privacy of their own homes anytime they wanted to,” he says. This breakthrough opened the doors to making neuromodulation accessible to people worldwide.
The vagus nerve, he explains, is critical because it forms the parasympathetic side of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for functions we don’t consciously control, such as heart rate, digestion, and even immune responses. Errico’s work with electroCore has proven that stimulating the nerve can potentially halt severe allergic reactions and improve conditions such as asthma.
Errico is determined to broaden the medical community’s perspective beyond reductionist, organ-focused approaches. “I really gravitated towards integrative and functional medicine physicians who recognize that when you take a reductionist view of things… you get to know the tree at the expense of knowing the forest,” he says. He humorously but pointedly calls specialists “partialists,” criticizing a system where experts become narrowly focused on specific organs, sometimes at the cost of the patient’s whole-body health.
Facing Challenges with Venture Capital and Bureaucracy
As a successful entrepreneur, Errico is no stranger to the challenges posed by venture capital and government oversight. Recalling an experience with venture capitalists at an event hosted by his law firm, he questioned their lack of operational experience, asking them directly how they could make critical decisions about companies without hands-on experience. “Collectively, the three of you have two years working in an operating company and none of you have any managerial experience,” he pointed out.
Errico has also learned that innovation within the health sector must contend with governmental entities such as the FDA, which he describes as staffed by “caring people… interested in making certain that things they approve are safe.” He recognizes the challenges the agencies face, balancing public safety with the need for progress.
Errico does not shy away from controversial topics, including the discussion surrounding vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders. “Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements in the history of medicine… However, there is no free lunch,” he acknowledged. Citing studies showing a link between neurodevelopmental issues and inflammation, Errico advocates a more cautious approach to administering vaccines, particularly for individuals predisposed to such conditions.
“We have to think and get the politics out of it, get the money out of it,” he urged, calling for a science-driven approach that considers individual health needs rather than blanket policies.
