Neuronal nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in gastric motor activity and modulates the mechanosensitivity of gastro‐oesophageal vagal afferents. Effects of NO on food intake are dependent on feeding status. We sought to determine the effect of NO on gastro‐oesophageal vagal afferent activity in the normally fed, and food restricted state and the second messenger pathways mediating these effects. Eight week old female C56BL/6 mice were fed ad libitum or food restricted for 14 hr. An in vitro preparation was used to determine the functional effects of NO and the second messenger pathways involved. Expression of NO signal transduction molecules in vagal afferents was determined by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Endogenous NO and the NO donor S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) inhibited vagal mucosal afferent responses to tactile stimuli in mice fed ad libitum. After a 14 hr fast endogenous NO and SNAP potentiated tension and mucosal afferent responses to mechanical stimulation. The excitatory effect of NO was blocked by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor apocynin. After a 14 hr fast expression of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) mRNA in whole nodose ganglia was significantly reduced and the excitatory effect of NO on gastro‐oesophageal vagal afferents was lost. Under fasting conditions the inhibitory effect of NO was blocked with the hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channel blocker ivabradine and mRNA expression of HCN3 in the nodose ganglia was elevated. In conclusion, the role of NO in the peripheral modulation of gastro‐oesophageal vagal afferents is dynamic and dependent on feeding status. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved