Episode 573: From Hypervigilance to Healing — Ben Ahrens on Neuroplasticity and Recovering from Chronic Lyme Disease
At Amy Kurtz's But You Look Fine book launch and signing event in New York City, Tick Boot Camp co-founder Matt Sabatello caught up with former guest Ben Ahrens, founder of Re-Origin, for an insightful conversation about neuroplasticity, hypervigilance, chronic Lyme disease recovery, and the emerging science connecting the brain, nervous system, and chronic illness.
Since his first appearance on the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, Ben has continued expanding Re-Origin's reach around the world while deepening his research into how chronic stress, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation can perpetuate illness long after the initial trigger has passed.
This conversation explores why some patients remain trapped in cycles of symptoms, why many become increasingly sensitive to treatments, and how retraining the brain may help create conditions that support healing and recovery.
Meet Ben Ahrens
Ben Ahrens is the founder of Re-Origin, a neuroplasticity-based brain retraining program designed to help individuals struggling with chronic conditions including:
- Lyme disease
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Chronic pain
- Central sensitization
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Complex chronic inflammatory illnesses
What began as Ben's personal journey out of severe neurological Lyme disease has evolved into a global movement. Today, Re-Origin serves members in more than 50 countries and has helped over 12,000 participants navigate recovery through nervous system regulation and neuroplasticity-based approaches.
Why the Brain Matters in Chronic Lyme Disease
Ben explains that chronic illness is not "all in your head."
Instead, he argues that the brain serves as the body's master regulator, coordinating immune, hormonal, emotional, and physiological responses. When the nervous system becomes chronically overwhelmed, it can become trapped in a state of persistent threat detection.
According to Ben, even when infections are being addressed and the body begins healing, the brain may continue operating as if danger is still present.
This ongoing state of alarm can:
- Increase inflammation
- Suppress immune function
- Heighten symptom perception
- Amplify treatment reactions
- Prolong illness cycles
- Make recovery more difficult
The result is a nervous system that remains stuck in survival mode long after the original threat has diminished.
Understanding Hypervigilance
One of the central themes of this interview is hypervigilance.
Ben describes hypervigilance as a state in which the brain becomes excessively focused on detecting potential threats. Over time, the nervous system can become conditioned to interpret everyday sensations, stressors, and even beneficial treatments as danger signals.
He explains that hypervigilance often develops gradually through a cumulative process rather than a single traumatic event.
Potential contributors include:
- Chronic infections
- Medical uncertainty
- Financial stress
- Relationship challenges
- Physical injuries
- Repeated setbacks
- Long-term caregiving demands
- Ongoing emotional strain
Eventually, the nervous system may reach a tipping point where seemingly minor stressors trigger major physiological responses.
Why Some Lyme Patients Become Extremely Treatment Sensitive
Many Lyme patients report becoming increasingly reactive to medications, supplements, detoxification protocols, and other therapies.
Ben believes hypervigilance may help explain why.
When the brain is operating from a persistent fight-or-flight state, it often interprets change itself as a threat. Even interventions intended to help may trigger exaggerated physiological responses because the nervous system is already overloaded.
This can contribute to:
- Heightened treatment reactions
- Increased symptom flares
- Difficulty tolerating protocols
- Fear surrounding new therapies
- Reduced resilience to stress
Understanding the role of the nervous system may provide an additional layer of insight for patients who feel stuck despite pursuing multiple treatment strategies.
The Connection Between Medical Trauma and Chronic Illness
Inspired by Amy Kurtz's new book, Matt and Rich ask Ben about the concept of Medical Trauma Brain.
Ben sees significant overlap between medical trauma and hypervigilance.
He explains that one of the most difficult aspects of chronic illness is uncertainty:
- Not knowing what is wrong
- Not receiving answers
- Feeling dismissed by providers
- Navigating conflicting medical opinions
- Watching symptoms worsen without explanation
When patients spend months or years searching for answers, the brain can become increasingly conditioned to expect danger, uncertainty, and disappointment.
This experience can create a powerful neurological imprint that persists long after diagnosis and treatment begin.
How to Recognize Hypervigilance
Many people living with chronic illness don't realize they are operating from a hypervigilant state because it has become their normal.
Ben shares several common signs:
- Constant worry or rumination
- Feeling unable to relax
- Persistent fight-or-flight sensations
- Always waiting for "the other shoe to drop"
- Difficulty feeling safe
- Trouble being present
- Physical tension throughout the body
- Racing thoughts when trying to rest
He notes that some individuals can temporarily calm their nervous system through activities such as walking, nature exposure, breathwork, or meditation, but quickly return to anxiety and activation once the activity ends.
This pattern may indicate that deeper nervous system retraining work could be beneficial.
The Importance of Nervous System Regulation
One of the key lessons from Ben's own recovery journey is that healing often requires more than simply addressing infection.
He emphasizes practices that help regulate the nervous system, including:
- Breathwork
- Gentle movement
- Mindfulness
- Awareness training
- Neuroplasticity exercises
- Stress reduction strategies
- Consistent nervous system regulation practices
The goal is not to ignore physical illness but to create an internal environment that supports healing.
From Hypervigilance to Relaxed Readiness
Ben offers a compelling alternative to living in chronic fight-or-flight mode: Relaxed Readiness.
Borrowed from martial arts philosophy, relaxed readiness describes a state of:
- Alertness without anxiety
- Presence without tension
- Awareness without fear
- Capacity without overwhelm
Rather than remaining trapped in survival mode, individuals can train their nervous systems to become more resilient, adaptable, and balanced.
According to Ben, the same neuroplastic mechanisms that teach the brain to overprotect can also teach it to relax, recover, and function more effectively.
Ben's Upcoming Book
Ben also shares a preview of an upcoming book currently in development.
The book will explore:
- The science of hypervigilance
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Trauma and chronic illness
- Neuroplasticity research
- Practical recovery strategies
- The journey toward relaxed readiness
His goal is to help readers better understand why chronic stress and nervous system overload have become so widespread—and what can be done to reverse the process.
Key Takeaways
- Chronic Lyme disease recovery may involve both biological treatment and nervous system regulation.
- Hypervigilance can develop gradually through chronic stress, illness, and uncertainty.
- An overactive threat response may increase symptom intensity and treatment sensitivity.
- Medical trauma can leave lasting neurological effects that impact recovery.
- Neuroplasticity offers hope that the brain can learn new, healthier patterns.
- Nervous system retraining aims to move individuals from chronic fight-or-flight into a state of relaxed readiness.
- Recovery is not simply about eliminating symptoms—it's about restoring resilience, capacity, and quality of life.