Figure 2. Main sex effects in cBRS during different phases of the experimental protocol independent Figure 2. Main sex effects in cBRS during different phases of the experimental protocol independent of active and sham stimulation. Men displayed an overall significant lower total cBRS than women of active and sham stimulation. Men displayed an overall significant lower total cBRS than women during nerve stimulation and rhythmic breathing at 0.2 Hz and non-significantly at 0.1 Hz. The during nerve stimulation and rhythmic breathing at 0.2 Hz and non-significantly at 0.1 Hz. The dark-colored boxes depict 50% of all the data points. Together with the light-colored boxes, they dark-colored boxes depict 50% of all the data points. Together with the light-colored boxes, they represent 75% of all the measured data. While the black dots represent the means averaged over all represent 75% of all the measured data. While the black dots represent the means averaged over all conditions (baseline, tVNS and post-stimulation) for the indicated tasks, the gray lines within the conditions (baseline, tVNS and post-stimulation) for the indicated tasks, the gray lines within the boxes show the respective medians; * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01. boxes show the respective medians; * p < 0.05; ** p <