Taiwan's main research institute has built a wearable ear device to treat anxiety without drugs — good news for the one in four Taiwanese who struggle with mental distress.

• The device sits in the ear and gently stimulates the vagus nerve to trigger the body's natural relaxation response.
• Unlike similar products abroad, it tracks heart rate and other body signals in real time and adjusts the treatment to match.
• It links to an app so patients can watch their stress data and doctors can follow their progress from the cloud.
• It is meant to work alongside medication, not replace it, and could help some people cut back on drugs and their side effects.
• In Taiwan, 2 million people have sought mental health care but very few get talk therapy, leaving medication as the main option.

Outlook: The device is heading into clinical trials, with regulatory review expected to take up to 1.5 years and practical home use targeted within three to five years, priced like a home blood pressure monitor.