Have you heard of Gupta Amygdala Retraining? Are you looking for non-invasive treatments to heal and improve fibromyalgia and chronic illness with no nasty side effects? I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned about this interesting program in the article below. Prepare to be amazed, swayed, and perhaps a little afraid.
Afraid of what? You’ll soon see ….
First, let me give you a quick rundown on what your amygdala is and why you should care.
You and Your Amygdala
As part of the limbic system in the brain, the amygdala is responsible for emotions and decision making. It’s a part of a system that detects threats.[1] For this reason, it’s often referenced in discussions relating to the fight, flight, or freeze response.
Can you see why this relates to fibromyalgia and chronic illness?
Finding ourselves stuck in a never ending cycle of anxiety and non-productive thought is common for this community. Some are aware of this negative loop and others aren’t.
The Gupta Program brings this conundrum to light.
Why Amygdala Brain Retraining?
I was attracted to the Gupta Program right off the bat because it focuses on retraining the brain (technically, the mind) to initiate self-healing.
Because I’m such a research nut when it comes to brain health, mindset, and conscious and nonconscious behaviors, I knew that the concept of the Gupta Program makes sense.
More than a decade ago, I completed my own journey of brain-retraining although, at the time I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew is that the more I read about awareness and negativity, the more I recognized that the voice in my head was just a wee bit critical. (Like the Grinch is just a wee bit green.)
I learned to become aware of my thoughts, question their validity, and turn my thinking around using prayer and my own MacGyver-ed mish-mash of healing protocols. (Later, I obtained gobs of trainings and certifications to find ways to streamline and fine-tune this process.)
Fascination propelled me to read volume after volume on mindset, brain research, positive psychology, and whole body healing. This is still a favorite topic of research today.
A consensus of what I read describes this basic cycle of chronic illness development. Of course, this is an oversimplified outline:
- Thoughts generate a cascade of chemicals in the brain which in turn, stimulate the production of various hormones.
- These stress hormones (negative) or feel-good hormones (positive) tell the entire body what to do – effectively sending performance information to the organs and systems of the body.
- Negative thoughts contribute to the physiological problems of inflammation, pain, digestive dysfunction, blood pressure dysregulation, blood sugar imbalances, and more.
With this philosophy in mind (no pun intended) it makes sense to do what we can to shift our thoughts toward the positive.
Negative thinking has a trickle down
physiological effect on our overall health.
Ages ago, I shifted my thought patterns on my own in an ad hoc, two-steps-forward and one-step-back process. It took ages and was far from efficient.
To learn more about a programmed and packaged way to shift your thought patterns, read on.
What the Gupta Program Offers
Changing thought patterns is a doable task, but it takes diligence, guidance, a framework, and accountability.
That’s why a packaged program can be valuable. It’s sort of like the difference between building a wood project from scratch or building one from a kit.
If you’re a reader, you can read dozens of books and assess which protocols work best for you. You can put them into practice on your own. However, the odds of success are much higher if you follow a specific protocol that has a proven track record of success.
This Gupta Retraining is like a change your brain program in a kit! #Fibromyalgia Click To Tweet
The Premise of the Gupta Program and Amygdala Retraining
Ashok Gupta is someone who found himself consumed by the symptoms of chronic illness and was able to find ways to heal. For that reason, we have much in common.
Ashok’s assertions on how fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) are formed can be seen here on YouTube.
Or, you can view and read it here.
I won’t go into detail, but here’s a brief overview of the process of “creating disease.” First, various triggers create the scenario for these conditions to propagate. Next, “the combination of these precipitating factors changes the circuitry of the amygdala and the insula, making it continually over-stimulate the body.”[2]
The Amygdala Retraining portion of this program addresses the over-stimulation that’s at the root of developing chronic illness.
The Gupta Program Package
The Gupta Program Package includes a collection of discs:
- 14 video sessions on 6 DVDs
- 2 audio CDs with meditations and techniques
- 12 weekly interactive coaching webinars (if you attend live, you can ask direct questions and have direct input)
- Printed training manual – 164 page transcript of DVD lessons + handouts, worksheets, and charts
- Online support forum access
- Large floor (or wall) poster depicting the process (over 5’ x 3’!)
- Demonstrations on how to use the technique
- Access to an extremely robust and useful mindfulness app
Optional Purchase: 1-on-1 coaching services for specialized help and guidance through the program from certified program coaches
Notice that between the DVDs, CDs, book, and app, this program is offered in content designed to benefit all learning styles. Whether you prefer to see, read, or hear (or a combination) information, you’ll find a method to best consume it.
Since this addresses all learning styles, there’s a format to use this program in a way that works for each individual.
Gupta Program Success Rates
According to the Gupta Program website, here are the current success statistics for this program:
- 52-66% – Report Significant Improvement (roughly 2/3 make a full recovery)
- 90% – Report Improvement
- 5% – Report No Improvement
Would you like to benefit from some of the protocols offered in this program? Here are a few of the many benefits discovered from mindfulness practices.
Physiological Benefits of Mindfulness
- Improved coping strategies
- Treatment for addictive behaviors
- Reduced baseline heart rate
- Lowered blood pressure
- Boosts immune system
- Improves stress-related disorders
- Reduces levels of stress
- Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease
- Reduces anxiety and neuroticism
As these benefits represent just some of what you can experience by practicing mindfulness techniques, I’m sure you can see the value. And, the lasting results far exceed the basic benefit of relaxation.
Powerful “No Duh” Success Tip
When it comes to practicing any mindfulness technique, you can amplify your success by following a simple two word directive: Do It.
I don’t mean to sound like a Nike ad. But it is pretty simple. To increase your success rate, the practices need to be — practiced.
To be honest, this applies to any healing technique whether it’s this program or something else. I’m often told by clients that this or that suggested protocol didn’t work. When we get down to the nitty gritty, 9 times out of 10, the client admits that they simply didn’t do the protocol.
There’s no judgement here about this behavior. It’s simply human nature. In fact, this common tendency is addressed numerous times in the program.
That’s why this step-by-step guided protocol is useful.
Even better? Do the program with an accountability partner or use a coach to check in with you on a regular basis.
The Cons of this Program
Since I’ve spoken of this product in glowing terms, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on what could stand improvement.
- Interestingly, one con of the Gupta Program is also a pro — there’s LOTS of material to sift through. It can appear confusing. Opening the package and seeing the large book jam packed with info, the numerous discs, and the huge mat that makes you wonder what you’re supposed to do with it – can freak you out a bit.
True confession here – I’m a sucker for information, information, and more information. Because of this, I loved every bit of this program.
But, I know not everyone else feels the same way. I can imagine that if a participant didn’t listen to at least the first few webinars, the materials could definitely feel overwhelming. As the webinars progress, however, it becomes clear which protocols are primary and which ones are ancillary.
Ashok frequently mentions that
this program is a complete toolkit.
You won’t need every tool,
but they’ll be there when and if you need them.
I think it would be helpful for the package to arrive with a welcome letter giving a few, basic instructions on how to get started. Something like a “Quick Start Guide” could be super useful.
- I also found the material and the approach to be a bit dry. If you’re looking for humor, fun, and entertainment, this isn’t it.
- The schedule of live webinars felt complicated to me (the schedule, not the webinars). It’s hard enough to calculate time zone differences without schedule changes. I’m sure that some flexibility is needed, but I never really got the hang of when they were offered live. I listened to the replays instead.
Summary Review
From the coverage I’ve given, it’s obvious that I enjoyed this program and feel that it offers immense value.
I wish that something like this had been available years ago when I tried to figure out how to “fix” my repetitive negative thoughts. As a religious person, I find comfort in prayer and Biblical meditations that give me a sense of peace and assurance. These mindfulness practices and devotions are the core of what helped me to heal.
This program takes a non-religious approach and participants are encouraged to plug in their own beliefs as they choose.
If the protocols are implemented, and the work is taken seriously, I cannot imagine anyone not finding at least some measure of success.
I also really liked that this program addresses the abundance of issues that can come up. Just about every objection, self-sabotage behavior, and motivational hang up is discussed. Ashok has a very “keep calm and carry on” attitude.
As a Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Master NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Practitioner, I have a deep-level understanding of many of the practices this program features as well as why they’re effective. I enjoyed seeing many protocols that I use with clients put together in a different way.
Growing research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (the branch of medicine that studies the influences of the emotional states and nervous system activities on the immune system – as it relates to the progression and onset of disease) is a vital part of discovering new treatments for the chronic illness community. This program addresses these influences and even includes nutritional suggestions and protocols to use for relationship issues and stress in general.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive program that has the potential to change your mind and change your body, this is it.
Are you afraid of making change? Afraid that it won’t work? Afraid that it will work and then what? Fears are understandable and common. One way to dip your toe into the water of change is with an online, self-paced program such as this. All types of fears are addressed throughout the Gupta Amygdala Retraining Program.
And, I should mention that there’s a money back guarantee. If you’ve not achieved results after 6 months of use, you can ask for your money back.
What’ve you got to lose other than the negative thoughts, feelings and emotions that are currently keeping you stuck?
Have you tried this or any other brain retraining program or protocol? Share your experiences below!
[1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/i-got-mind-tell-you/201508/the-amygdala-is-not-the-brains-fear-center
[2] http://www.guptaprogramme.com/causes-of-me/
