Why Brain Training Doesn't Work - ME/CFS & Long Covid Recovery

Three reasons why brain training sometimes doesn't work with ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and long covid recovery.

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Understanding brain training results
02:17 A neuroplastic state
05:38 Driving the recovery bus
08:10 Adaptation
12:03 Who does this apply to?
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REMINDER: This is for information purposes only and nothing I share should be considered medical advice. Please make your own assessment, do your own further research, and consult your trusted healthcare professionals before deciding if anything I talk about here might be right for you.

[evelinel.]

You missed one of the most important thing why brain training doesn't work. Brain training is a top down modality some people need also to work bottom up as they are disassociated from their emotions and their body (trauma). Somatic work, feeling emotions in the body, yoga, pain reprocessing therapy (also called somatic tracking) etc. Just distracting from symptoms with brain training does not always work, feeling the symptoms through somatic tracking with a lens of safety and knowing we are still safe and be ok with symptoms was a better route for me with Fibromyalgia (called pain reprocessing therapy). The brain learns that the symptoms are safe so the loop can stop and pain goes down, running away and always distracting from symptoms tells the brain the symptoms are dangerous and we stay in a fear-pain loop. Also for some of us we did not grow up with an emotional holding and we need to do somatic work on feeling emotions in the body and show the brain that emotions are safe so when the brain fires of an emotion (an unconscious process) the stress response doesn't flare up but we can feel the emotion. The bonus to the emotional work was when I did it I healed depression that had plagued me on and off for decades. See Dr. John Sarno's books on how repressed emotions cause these mind-body symptoms.

[dommccaffry]

If you are suffering from an M.E type illness that involves maladaptive coping mechanisms caused by trauma, then often you have a lot of repressed emotions that manifest as symptoms. So, in some cases, ypu need to allow symptoms and feelings to come up and process. So, in cases like that, trying to stop, or rewire every so called " negative" feeling and symptom can be the exact opposite of what you need to be doing. You have to determine whether trauma is driving symptoms.

[SplendidlyBright]

I think you’ve left out the most important point; a lot of brain Retraining Programmes are just the brain work, the rewiring in the brain, but the bottom up work is just as important! Somatics, and nervous system regulation, PolyVagal work is absolutely vital for healing and recovery!

[JusPri]

I just wanted to add a side note. I must say, the quality of your videos and their production is top-notch. They are visually appealing and your clear explanations make them a pleasure to watch. It's evident that a great deal of hard work goes into each and every video. Keep up the fantastic job!

[CFSUnravelled]

Great advice Raelan - really spot on! We need the right environment, the right conditions for our brain to be able to adapt. That means a low amount of stressors, whether they be physical, neurological or psychological. Specific training can then lower arousal levels to lead to the right state where positive neuroplasticity can occur. The science also indicates that for some modalities of brain training, we require the body to respond physiologically in certain ways. When the body becomes very diminished, these responses are impaired and there are clear subgroups that respond differently. That is why physical treatments and support in many cases are essential, but often are not required - it depends on the current state of our body and nervous system. Last but not least, this discussion on HOW not WHAT is key - there isn't a day in my work that I don't speak to people about the CRITICAL importance of self-compassion and fostering a gentle approach. Yes we can actually be very persistent (boot camp style like you say), but NOT to the point of creating stress - let's face it, that's often what led to becoming unwell in the first place.

[shellbell]

I really like the idea of designing your own brain training, as you know yourself best, you know the reasons and causes of your illness and you know what approaches will and won't work for you. So many of us have spent a fortune on trying to heal and just another expensive attempt to heal with limited or no funds is a stressor in itself.

[annyspb]

I get into a panic whenever I start to read or watch something I believe is going to be good for me. So the gentle, supportive style is just right for me. And thanks for this video, and all of them! xxx

[lessons]

I did brain training and clean eating for over 2 years. Did not work. 😢.. I was calm and was feeling good vibes often.. But I added pacing in with those and my crashes were less severe

[charlottewortley]

Thanks for addressing this topic. I recovered through a brain training program a few years ago but then gradually made my way back into ME/CFS. I'm not convinced that brain training is the sole solution for many people: this time round I'm trying to recover for good through combining it with physical healing strategies like intermittent fasting, supplements, a whole foods diet and avoiding toxins.

[sarahbelle]

Its important to also add that many brain retraining programs are not trauma informed and that a lot of ME/CFS has a history of trauma as its root cause of dysregulation. So brain retraining can often be a great piece of the puzzle for those people, too. But they need other trauma informed therapy to blend with the retraining.

[Rachelcuenot]

I am a physician with lupus and mast cell activation and your videos have been so helpful to me!

[edunsavage]

Thanks for covering this topic. I’ve tried two of the popular Brain retraining courses at quite an expense. And after a year of using them I’m ready to move on. I think they helped me feel that I’m not alone in this and made me more aware of how to slow down the looping in my brain, but beyond that I just don’t feel it was a good fit for me. I appreciate you talking about this as I’m sure there are others out there with similar experiences.

[majahorvat]

Great info. I tried to do DNRS many times, but I was actually too sick to do it. What actually helped me is bee venom therapy. I went from bed and house bound to be able to do at least 30 min walking a day and my cognitive function has recovered (it was really bad, I could not find the right words, no problem solving ability and serious memory issues). It is still work in progress as the therapy can take up to 3 and half years. So sometimes you might actually need something else.

[indira.r]

I really needed to hear this. Thank you. I’m a Christian. Using the scriptures and having a faith-filled approach has been integral for me.

[deelicious]

Not all symptoms are limbic-related. I was blaming hot flashes on thought-generated stress. Progesterone took the steam out of them. Still trying to figure out sleep, which may also be hormone related.

[michellemajek]

Thanks for this video! You preach truth!! I started a brain retraining program last august and almost made it the six months they recommend, but I had to stop because it was making me too stressed about doing it the way they recommended. It was too rigid for me, but it was a good starting place because I was finally being proactive about my situation. I took inspiration from (all your videos really 😊) Roberto and Kyle, Mary Ruddick and Sam Wysock-Wright. These stories deeply inspired me, and I have combined some things from their recovery stories. Also, Dr. Raymond Perrin!! I knew about his technique early on in my recovery but got sidetracked by a fb group 😅. So now I am incorporating his lymphatic technique and am feeling better and better. Thank you so much for taking the time to gather the information, and then get it out to the public!! It makes such a difference, you make such a difference!! ❤

[EllaSloman]

I'm currently doing a program that seems to encompass both top down and bottom up methods so somatics, brain retraining, vagus nerve stimulation, meditation, embodiment and nervous system modification. It seems to work well for me as it's multifaceted and suits my learning style.

[suemorgan]

‘Trust in your own wisdom!’ Perfect advice, Raelan. Thank you.

[Ella-pslg]

I've said this on your channel before😄but I think this is the best video you've ever made. YES i've taken my A grade perfectiont personality into my brain retraining - thankyou for this reminder 🙏

[AnrupB]

Love that you’re so transparent about the fact that every program is different and resonates differently for people. I totally agree that no qualifications is part of the issue - the internet is full of programs and courses of all kinds created largely by people who are sharing based on their own experiences. That said, we all need to take time to learn about ourselves and learn why we’re unwell in the first place. Then we can have a better idea if brain training will work. Great job with this, Raelan! ❤