Alyssa Luck
Eventually, this page will be an in-depth look at what “brain retraining” is, why people with IBD probably need it, the science behind how it works, and the various programs and modalities available.
For now, it’s a landing page where I can collect the names of “brain retraining” programs as I become aware of them.
[Read more…] about Brain Retraining for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s DiseaseSummary: The Dynamic Neural Retraining System was created by Annie Hopper to heal herself from severe multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), and since 2008 has been widely used by others with MCS and other “mysterious” chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even long-COVID, with seemingly miraculous results. The program is built upon the premise that at the root of all these illnesses is a maladaptive brain response to environmental stimuli, causing the body to react as if harmless stimuli are life-threatening. Although DNRS is not widely used or marketed for IBD, evidence indicates that maladaptive nervous system responses are likely a component of the disease, and at least one IBD patient has reported success using DNRS. Although DNRS is not designed with IBD patients in mind, the principles it teaches may very well be the missing piece for many people who have tried just about everything else.
This article is part of the IBD Index. Last updated on May 5, 2022.
The Dynamic Neural Retraining System, or DNRS, is one of those programs that appears to toe the line between “this is totally miraculous” and “this is total bullshit.” How could someone possibly go from, say, being wheelchair- and house-bound, and only able to eat a few foods, to being totally and completely healthy, just by doing some mental exercises?
It sounds like magic, but this is the promise of neuroplasticity. It’s not easy, but it’s powerful. And for many with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, it could be the missing piece – the reason that all of the drugs and diets and supplements haven’t worked, despite great effort and dedication.
Table of Contents:
What is DNRS?
How does DNRS work?
Do people with IBD have limbic system impairment?
Can DNRS work for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease?
How much does DNRS cost? Is it worth it?
Helpful resources
Summary: Hypnotherapy is a mind-body therapy that may have therapeutic potential for IBD, although it’s a bit less practical to implement at home compared to other mind-body therapies such as meditation. Thus far, clinical trials in IBS have shown more impressive results than those in IBD, but there is some preliminary evidence that hypnotherapy could help maintain remission in UC patients who are already in remission, and reduce heart rate and inflammatory markers in those with active disease. The precise mechanism of action behind hypnotherapy remains to be elucidated, but the research of Robert Becker into the electrical systems of the body provides some fascinating glimpses into what may be happening to the mind and body in states of hypnosis.
This article is part of the IBD Index. Last updated on March 14, 2022.
[Read more…] about Hypnotherapy for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s DiseaseSummary: Meditation and mindfulness are becoming increasingly popular in the health sphere, and rightly so – ample evidence indicates that these practices are extremely beneficial for health. However, as far as their practical efficacy in managing IBD, the jury is still out. Clinical trials in IBD have fairly consistently shown improvements in overall quality of life, but thus far haven’t demonstrated improvements in flare rate or severity. That said, trials in a variety of patient populations have shown that mindfulness appears to down-regulate NF-κB activity, reflecting an overall less inflammatory gene expression profile. Other evidence supports the idea that mindfulness markedly changes how the central nervous system physiologically responds to stressors, including down-regulation of sympathetic nervous system and HPA-axis activity. Taken together, it appears likely that mindfulness could confer more measurable benefits with regards to inflammation and disease progression in IBD over the long term.
This article is part of the IBD Index. Last updated on March 14, 2022.
Mind-body medicine is currently an area of particular research focus for me, so you can expect this post to be expanded and updated in the near future! Follow me on Instagram for personal content related to mind-body medicine, as well as snippets of interesting research that might not make it into a blog post.
Mindfulness is one of those golden health practices that I call “no brainers” – in other words, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. At the outset, I can say that I’d recommend some type of mindfulness practice to every person with IBD, almost without exception (and anyone who knows me knows that I’m not usually in the business of recommending things).
So if you want to learn more, read on. Otherwise, save your time and go meditate!
[Read more…] about Meditation and Mindfulness for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s DiseaseSummary: Vagus nerve stimulation is an up-and-coming intervention for chronic inflammatory disorders including IBD. Clinically, it involves electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve through implanted or external devices, but natural methods such as yoga, meditation, and specific breathing practices have also been shown to increase vagal tone. Research in both animals and humans indicates that stimulation of the vagus nerve is able to reduce inflammation via various neural and hormonal pathways, with similar targets to popular pharmacological IBD treatments. Clinically, this is an exciting new treatment that is actively being researched; practically, vagus nerve stimulation via natural methods provides a safe way to reduce inflammation and improve health.
This article is part of the IBD Index. Last updated on January 27, 2022.
Vagus nerve stimulation is an ongoing area of research and experimentation for me. If you want to follow along on my personal journey, follow me on Instagram! Eventually, I will update and expand this post as well.
Table of Contents
What is vagus nerve stimulation?
What is the vagus nerve?
What’s the science behind vagus nerve stimulation for IBD?
Activation of the HPA axis
Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway
Activation of sympathetic anti-inflammatory pathways
Is there clinical evidence for vagus nerve stimulation in IBD?
Are there any risks to vagus nerve stimulation?
How can I increase vagal tone at home?
Mind-body disciplines: yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation
Left-nostril breathing
Other possible interventions
Review of the literature
Technical details of clinical vagus nerve stimulation
In the clinical research setting, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) refers to stimulation of the vagus nerve via electrical impulses. This can be done either invasively, via a surgical implant, or noninvasively, via electrodes stuck to the skin in the ear. (For technical details, check out this section at the bottom of this article.)
VNS has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of drug‐resistant epilepsy and depression, and interest is building for its application in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (and of course, IBD). VNS is not yet available as a clinical treatment for IBD, but two small trials have been conducted in patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD), and two more trials are underway.
Outside of clinical research, talk of stimulating the vagus nerve typically refers to at-home practices that naturally stimulate the vagus nerve, including things like deep breathing and meditation. More on these techniques below!
[Read more…] about Vagus Nerve Stimulation for IBD