Understanding "Threat" and Its Role in Brain Health

At one point you have been told you need to decrease your stress.  What does that mean and how do we look at is from a neuro perspective?   In our mentorship we look at it as "threat", but what is threat and why is this the cornerstone of where we start teaching neurology, health, and applied neurology?

The cornerstone of human health lies in how the brain perceives and responds to *threat*. So let's have the conversation about what exactly  "threat," is and why it matters so much to our overall well-being.

What Is Threat?

In neurological terms, a threat is anything the brain perceives as a potential danger to survival. This can range from physical dangers (like an oncoming car) to emotional stressors (like job anxiety). The brain's survival instinct means constantly scanning for these threats and adjusting the body’s reactions accordingly.

The Brain's Role in Perceiving Threat

The brain, primarily responsible for your survival, responds to these threats by engaging your nervous system in one of two ways:

(1) Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight or Flight): When a threat is detected, your brain shifts your body into fight-or-flight mode, preparing you to either confront the danger or flee.

(2) Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest and Digest): When the brain feels safe, it allows the body to rest, recover, and heal.

However, the brain does NOT  distinguish between real or imagined threats. Everyday stressors can trigger the same response, leading to long-term tension and disruption in the body’s ability to recover.

--> Read that last sentence again; "Everyday stressors can trigger the same response, leading to long-term tension and disruption in the body’s ability to recover."

This is why the health industry is flooded with people needing help.  So we ask you the question we ask all our students on Day 1 of our mentorship: Is it more body-related problems or is the source, the place we start first, the brain?  Or as we like to say; "everything above the neck drives everything below the neck."

Why Is Threat Perception the Cornerstone of Health?

When the brain is locked in a high-alert state, it compromises every system in the body. Chronic tension, inflammation, and even mental health disorders can arise when the brain stays in survival mode for too long. This constant threat perception inhibits healing and impairs overall function, making recovery from conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, or Long COVID more difficult.

How Applied Neurology Can Help

Through Applied Neurology, as taught at Next Level Neuro, you can learn to decrease the brain’s perception of threat. By understanding how to retrain your nervous system, you gain control over how your brain interprets safety and danger, leading to improved health outcomes.

At Next Level Neuro, we teach actionable applied neurology techniques that empower individuals and coaches alike to help the brain feel safe again—unlocking the potential for better health, performance, and recovery.

Understanding threat is not just about survival; it’s about thriving.

If you want to discover more about the science behind brain health and how our mentorship can help you transform your approach to training and recovery come see us on our mentorship page.

*#NextLevelNeuro #AppliedNeurology #BrainHealth #ThreatAndRecovery