Somatic Techniques to Prevent Alzheimer’s and Boost Brain Longevity With Dr. Peter A Levine

In this Episode

02:38 – How does trauma affect memory?

07:41 – Why don’t animals get PTSD like humans do?

10:58 – How does trauma get “frozen” in the nervous system?

15:23 – What role does human interaction play in dementia care?

19:26 – What can we do for people who care for dementia patients?

20:35 – What is interoception, and why does it matter?

22:32 – What is pendulation in trauma healing?

29:57 – Dr. Levine shares some personal experiences

33:48 – What practical exercises can help ground people?

38:03 – What are somatic experiencing tips for better sleep?

41:23 – What gives you hope for the future of trauma and brain health?

Resources:

– Top Supplements for Alzheimer’s Guide 

– Book: Trauma and Memory by Dr. Peter Levine, PhD 

– Book: Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Dr. Peter Levine, PhD 

Connect with Dr. Peter A Levine, PhD:

– Website 

– Instagram 

Connect with Dr. Josh Helman, MD:

– Instagram 

– Facebook 

– LinkedIn 

– TikTok 

– YouTube 

– Others 

Disclaimer: Please remember that this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.

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Somatic Techniques to Prevent Alzheimer’s and Boost Brain Longevity

Is your nervous system silently accelerating brain aging? Most people focus on memory games and brain diets—but what if the real solution starts in your body? In this episode, trauma expert Dr. Peter A Levine reveals how unresolved trauma responses trapped in your nervous system may fuel inflammation and neurodegeneration. More importantly, he explains how somatic techniques—like breathwork, grounding touch, and body awareness—can help unlock your brain’s resilience and promote longevity.

If you or a loved one has experienced chronic stress, caregiving fatigue, or early signs of cognitive decline, this conversation may shift everything you thought you knew about Alzheimer’s prevention.

🎯 Key Takeaways From the Episode:

• Unresolved trauma can cause chronic inflammation linked to neurodegeneration (12:19).
  
  

• Somatic techniques like breath and touch help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress (35:07).
  
  

• Early childhood trauma increases dementia risk through long-term effects on immune and memory systems (11:24).
  
  
• Caregivers benefit from somatic self-regulation techniques to manage emotional stress (19:47).

Somatic Techniques Help Release Trauma Stored in the Body

One of Dr. Levine’s biggest insights is that trauma often gets “trapped” in the body. Unlike animals—who naturally shake off life-threatening experiences—humans tend to freeze and disconnect. This can leave unresolved trauma imprinted in procedural (body) memory, which fuels chronic stress and inflammation, two major drivers of neurodegenerative disease.

Breathwork, gentle shaking, and somatic touch help complete these frozen survival responses. These techniques support nervous system regulation and may help shift the brain out of the trauma cycle—restoring cognitive function and emotional stability.

→ Want to learn the foundational technique? Try this simple grounding breath with sound: inhale fully, then exhale with a slow vibrating “voo” sound. Repeat. It’s calming for both adults and children.

Chronic Inflammation Tied to Early Life Trauma

Using the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scale, Dr. Levine explains how unresolved trauma in childhood can set the stage for adult diseases like heart issues, diabetes—and possibly dementia. The common thread? Unchecked inflammation.

Trauma keeps the body in a hyperaroused or frozen state, triggering immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation. This insight aligns with emerging Alzheimer’s research: chronic stress and inflammation are core contributors to cognitive decline.

Somatic techniques help reduce this stress load, giving your body a chance to restore balance.

Caregivers Need Somatic Support, Too

In one of the episode’s most moving moments, Dr. Levine addresses caregivers—particularly spouses of those with Alzheimer’s—who are under immense emotional pressure. One practical takeaway: your nervous system matters, too.

By learning tools like:

1. Self-regulation breathwork
   
   
2. Touch-based grounding exercises
   
   
3. Pendulation (moving between comfort and discomfort)
   
   

Caregivers can avoid burnout, remain emotionally present, and protect their own long-term health.

Dr. Levine’s partner, a VA therapist trained in somatic experiencing, emphasized the power of community and support for caregivers—especially when confronting denial, loss, and grief.

Interoception and Pendulation: Two Lifelines for Brain Longevity

Dr. Levine introduces two key concepts—interoception and pendulation—as anchors in somatic healing.

• Interoception is the awareness of internal sensations like heartbeat, breath, and muscle tension. Cultivating this sixth sense improves emotional and physiological resilience.
  
  
• Pendulation is the ability to gently move between activation (stress) and deactivation (calm). It helps restore balance without overwhelming the system.
  
  

These techniques are especially useful for people with early or mild dementia. For example, touching a person’s hand and saying, “You’re here with me,” while guiding a calming breath can orient and soothe them better than verbal reassurances alone.

Try this with loved ones: Hold their hand (with permission), breathe together, and gently repeat grounding words. You’re helping their nervous system reset.

🧠 Curious about working with a somatic practitioner? Find one at SomaticExperiencing.com.

Conclusion: 

The body holds the key to unlocking cognitive resilience. Through somatic techniques like interoception, breath regulation, and grounding touch, Dr. Peter Levine shows us how to reduce trauma-related inflammation and create conditions for brain healing. Whether you’re looking to prevent Alzheimer’s or support someone navigating dementia, this body-first approach could be transformative.

If you found this helpful, check out our episode on Can Fasting and Autophagy REVERSE Alzheimer’s? With Dr. David Jockers or subscribe for more insights on reversing Alzheimer’s naturally.

Have you tried somatic techniques before? What impact did they have on your mental clarity or emotional balance? Share your experience in the comments!