Nerva uses AI to integrate gut-directed hypnotherapy, cognitive-behavioral coaching, and diaphragmatic breathing to calm the brain, retrain gut perception, and restore healthy gut-brain communication.
Uses therapeutic suggestions to modulate central pain pathways and alter cortical processing of visceral signals.
Employs cognitive and behavioral strategies to reduce symptom-focused fear and hypervigilance, enhancing adaptive coping and cognitive reappraisal.
Engages the vagus nerve and parasympathetic system to improve gastrointestinal motility and reduce visceral sensitivity.
Hyperactivity in central pain and emotion networks is reduced, enabling the brain to respond more appropriately to visceral input.1
Attention shifts away from visceral sensations, decreasing over-monitoring and excessive threat signaling.5
GDH decreases sensitivity to gut stimuli (e.g., gas, distension, motility), often exacerbated by FODMAPs, thereby reducing pain and urgency.2
Gut contractility stabilizes and transit time is modulated, alleviating bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.3
GDH lowers cortisol levels and attenuates sympathetic activation, supporting parasympathetic ‘rest-and-digest’ function.4
By enhancing vagal tone, GDH promotes more balanced efferent signaling from the brain to the gut.6
Cognitive suggestions mitigate catastrophizing and maladaptive interpretations, allowing typical visceral sensations to be appraised as non-threatening.7
The deep relaxation phase shifts the body into a calm, focused state, making the brain more receptive to therapeutic input and reducing stress hormone levels.
Gut-focused imagery (e.g., a calm river or warm light in the gut) trains the brain to reinterpret visceral sensations as safe. With repetition, this establishes automatic, reflex-like pathways that diminish reactivity without conscious effort.
Symptom-specific cues are delivered while the brain is most receptive. Over time, these reshape subconscious responses to visceral input, promoting calm as the brain’s default state.
The deep relaxation phase shifts the body into a calm, focused state, making the brain more receptive to therapeutic input and reducing stress hormone levels.
Gut-focused imagery (e.g., a calm river or warm light in the gut) trains the brain to reinterpret visceral sensations as safe. With repetition, this establishes automatic, reflex-like pathways that diminish reactivity without conscious effort.
Symptom-specific cues are delivered while the brain is most receptive. Over time, these reshape subconscious responses to visceral input, promoting calm as the brain’s default state.
In this landmark mechanistic study, IBS patients underwent rectal balloon inflation before and after gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) to measure changes in visceral sensitivity.
Request patient resources, free samples, clinician access to the program, or a training call
Contact usThe Nerva program costs $199 USD, $249 AUD, €229 EUR or £149 GBP for 12 months of access. However, patients referred by their healthcare practitioner receive a 25% discount.
Patients begin with a 7-day free trial to explore the program risk-free. For added peace of mind, we also offer a 42-day money-back guarantee.
Nerva is designed for patients with IBS, including those with constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), or mixed (IBS-M) subtypes. It is particularly beneficial for patients experiencing stress and/or anxiety, those seeking non-pharmacological or non-dietary interventions, and refractory patients who have not responded to other treatments.
Contraindications: Nerva is not recommended for individuals with severe psychiatric disorders, unresolved psychological trauma, or cognitive impairments.
For an in-depth guide, see our decision tool.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) is a psychological therapy that helps regulate the gut-brain connection. It guides individuals into a state of focused attention, where individuals become more receptive to therapeutic suggestions. This heightened state of awareness helps regulate the gut-brain connection, easing IBS symptoms by shifting the body out of a stress response and into a state of calm.
During hypnosis, we can observe physiological changes in brain activity related to absorption, executive control, and awareness.
With self-hypnosis, patients can access these benefits anytime, anywhere – without the need for an in-person hypnotherapist – while remaining in complete control.
Yes, patients can choose to add your details, allowing you to receive progress updates and reports, including IBS-SSS and PHQ-4 symptom tracking. These insights are securely delivered through our HIPAA-compliant and Australian Privacy Principles-compliant reporting system.
Nerva is specifically designed for diagnosed IBS, targeting the gut-brain connection through gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH). While research supports the effectiveness of GDH for IBS, some patients with other disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), such as functional dyspepsia, may still benefit. However, as Nerva is not tailored for these conditions, we recommend patients consult their healthcare provider to determine the best approach for their needs.
Yes, we offer free clinician access, allowing you to explore the full Nerva program firsthand. This gives you insight into the structure, content, and experience your patients will have.
Nerva follows a clinically-based 6-week program designed to improve IBS symptom management through gut-directed hypnotherapy.
To support long-term symptom management, patients receive a 12-month subscription – which includes ongoing access to our flare-up toolkit for maintenance and support whenever they need it.
Here is a smart phrase template that's worked well for other practices when adding Nerva to discharge instructions:
I’m referring you to Nerva, a clinically validated gut-directed hypnotherapy program designed to help you manage IBS symptoms. Most patients see results within 6 weeks.
Visit: www.nervahealth.com
1. Löwen, M. B. O., Mayer, E. A., Sjöberg, M., Tillisch, K., Naliboff, B., Lundberg, P., … Simrén, M. (2013). Effect of hypnotherapy and educational intervention on brain response to visceral stimulus in the irritable bowel syndrome. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 37(12), 1184–1197. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.12319 (europepmc.org)
2. Houghton, L. A., Calvert, E. L., Jackson, N. A., Cooper, P., & Whorwell, P. J. (2002). Visceral sensation and emotion: A study using hypnosis. Gut, 51(5), 701–707. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.51.5.701 (gut.bmj.com)
3. Lindfors, P., Törnblom, H., Sadik, R., Björnsson, E. S., Abrahamsson, H., & Simrén, M. (2012). Effects on gastrointestinal transit and antroduodenojejunal manometry after gut-directed hypnotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 47(12), 1480–1487. https://doi.org/10.3109/00365521.2012.719727 (iris.rais.is)
4. Tan, G., Hammond, D. C., & Joseph, G. (2005). Hypnosis and irritable bowel syndrome: A review of efficacy and mechanism of action. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 47(3), 161–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2005.10404187 (neurofeedbackslc.com)
5. Labus, J. S., Bolus, R., Chang, L., Wiklund, I., Naesdal, J., Mayer, E. A., & Naliboff, B. D. (2004). The Visceral Sensitivity Index: Development and validation of a gastrointestinal symptom–specific anxiety scale. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 20(1), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.02007.x (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
6. Moser, G., Truschel, M., et al. (2022). Heart-rate variability in patients with irritable bowel syndrome before and after gut-directed hypnotherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05283655). Unpublished clinical-trial report. (ichgcp.net)
7. Lackner, J. M., Jaccard, J., Krasner, S. S., Katz, L. A., et al. (2007). How does cognitive behavior therapy for irritable bowel syndrome work? A mediational analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Gastroenterology, 133(2), 433–444. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2007.05.014 (scirp.org)
