Summary

Are your symptoms really coming from a “broken body”—or are they actually a brain habit? In this episode, Ali breaks down the science of neuroplastic symptoms (sometimes called TMS or mind-body symptoms) and explains why real, physical sensations like pain, fatigue, gut issues, and dizziness can persist even without structural damage.

You’ll learn how the brain’s danger pathways work, why symptoms become a habit, and how fear and avoidance keep the cycle alive. Drawing on Alan Gordon’s “false alarm” framework, Ali shares simple, practical ways to rewire your brain’s response—so symptoms lose their power and your nervous system learns safety again.

If you’ve been stuck in the endless cycle of symptoms, worry, and searching for answers, this episode will give you clarity, hope, and a roadmap for healing.

Takeaways

• Neuroplastic symptoms are real—but they’re created by the brain’s danger pathways, not by structural damage.

• Fear and attention fuel the cycle: every time you monitor or worry, the brain reinforces the symptom as “important.”

• Symptoms become a habit loop—just like a song stuck in your head, the brain gets good at producing them through repetition.

• Alan Gordon’s false alarm analogy helps explain why symptoms are real but not dangerous—the alarm is sounding, but there’s no fire.

• Healing is possible: by reducing fear, processing emotions, and re-engaging in life, you can rewire your brain and teach it safety.

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