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It is an acronym that stands for Bilateral Resolution for the Acute Interrupted Nervous System. “Bilateral” indicates the technique involves both sides of the body. “Resolution” refers to the process where our psyche develops a solution to the stress that triggers our flight, fight, or freeze response. The “Acute” describes the stress that occurs immediately or within a short time frame—ideally minutes, hours, or a few days after an event. It can be used weeks or a few months after an event. “Interrupted” signifies the event was a sudden disruption in our regular state. “Nervous System” refers to the part of our body affected during stress responses. We apply this technique when stress suddenly disrupts our nervous system, causing a flight, fight, or freeze reaction, to achieve a state that is calm, adaptable, and crucially, conducive to inspired solutions.

On SPECT brain scans, we can see an increase of blood flow in the brain when we work with alternate bilateral tapping.  When we are in survival mode, aka flight, fight, freeze, we only have access to a smaller portion of our brain.  With increased blood flow, we now have more access to a larger area of the brain. This then moves our perspective from tunnel vision to normal vision, seeing potential options and solutions to the stressor. Through the specific B.R.A.I.N.S. Technique™ process, as we feel our emotions in Phase 1, the neurotransmitters in our brain, and your nervous system have a physical change from being in our sympathetic flight/fight/freeze nervous system and switching to our parasympathetic nervous system of rest/digest/heal. By allowing stress to be processed through our emotions, we can dissipate potential triggers that might build up from a stressful experience. Processing our stress quickly reduces the buildup, mitigating the risk of immediate illness and fostering a more resilient and adaptable immune system.

Yes! For people who can not perform the B.R.A.I.N.S. Technique™, you may employ the alternate bilateral tapping on an accessible body part like their lower legs or arms. Once you have achieved confidence in your ability to utilize the B.R.A.I.N.S. Technique™ for yourself, you can guide someone else through the process.  As you learn how and why the technique works, you will then be able to apply it with others, in emergency situations, and with your beloved pets. 

No. The BRAINS Technique ™ process is specifically for acute, sudden stressors that are occurring in the present moment.

If you are managing a past trauma, please refer to EMDR International Organization with a trained psychotherapist.

When living with and healing a past trauma, it is imperative that you have a professional guiding you through the healing process.

Ideally in within a few minutes, hours, or first few days of experiencing:

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Worry, rumination, obsessively thinking

• Overwhelming intense emotions such as anger, rage, loneliness, fear, depression, self-criticism, grief

• Shocking health diagnosis

• Death of loved one or pet

• Witnessing or being in a car accident

• Witnessing or being part of a volatile argument

• When stress is negatively affecting your health

• A sudden, distressing event where you feel isolative or helpless 

• Difficulty sleeping

• OCD behaviors that are negatively impacting your quality of life

• Keeps your body and mind calm and more adaptable to handle stress/trauma/anxiety producing situations

• Helps your body fight off acute sickness by handling stress as it arises

• Prevents long-term stress from the accumulation negative effects of chronic illness

• Improves clarity of thought

• Enhances decision making through increased blood flow in the brain

• Increases connection with others by remaining calm in difficult situations/conversations with an improved ability to have clarity of what you want to communicate and to be able to see other’s perspectives with a decreased emotional reaction (taking it personally)

• Creates space between your thoughts so that you can discover new solutions/ perspectives/ inspiration 

No special equipment is needed. If you are unable to perform the alternate bilateral tapping that is part of the process as shown in the instructional video, you may ask a caregiver or friend to perform that part of the process.

This process was developed for times when we do not have access to a professional, but we need immediate relief due to sudden unexpected stress. Taking classes, working with a practitioner trained in B.R.A.I.N.S. Technique™ or learning from Whitney, the developer of the technique, is vital to understand and most effectively use the process. Once you learn this skill, you can apply it in many situations. It is important to find a safe place before employing the B.R.A.I.N.S. Technique™, so the environment encourages your nervous system to be able to shift out of flight/fight/freeze to rest/digest/heal mode. If, after employing this technique, your stress continues to worsen with physical, emotional, or mental symptoms, please see your doctor or therapist immediately. If you are experiencing a life threatening situation, call 911.