The world's leading gut-brain program. Now in your practice.
Integrate Nerva's program to help your patients build self-management skills for IBS and functional dyspepsia.
20,000+ providers from leading institutions have referred patients to Nerva
Clinical outcomes
81%
of people saw significant improvements in symptom management¹
Results were maintained at
6 months¹
maintained
Trusted by
20,000+
clinicians who have referred patients to Nerva
Our research
71%
of participants had a clinically significant decrease in abdominal pain at 6 weeks, vs 35% on active control¹
- Clinical studies
- 15+
- People helped
- 300,000+
- Randomised controlled trial
- AJG 2025
Calm the connection driving your patients' symptoms
Gut-brain therapy helps patients practice a calmer response to an oversensitive gut-brain connection.
- A trigger sets the gut on edge
- The gut and brain amplify the signals
- The symptoms patients feel are real
Retrain the connection
Through gut-brain therapy, patients can calm an oversensitive connection and change how those signals are felt.
Less worry.
More freedom.
When symptoms take up less space in your patients' days, appointments can focus on what matters.
Recognised in the latest clinical guidelines. View clinical guidelines
The Nerva program
A program that fits into your patients' real lives: sit down and press play, wherever they are.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy audio
Your patient's core 15-minute daily session: guided audio that helps them practice a calmer response to gut sensations.
CBT education
Short daily lessons on how the gut and brain interact, building practical coping skills.
Track progress
Patients see their progress week by week, and can opt in to share it with you.
Flare-up toolkit
Guided breathing exercises for the hard moments, wherever your patient is.
- Daily 15-min audio sessions
- Structured 6-week program
- Research-backed program
- Specialist support team
When to recommend Nerva
Four moments where clinicians reach for it.
Early, alongside diet
Guidelines recognise gut-brain therapy as an evidence-based option for IBS. Nerva offers a digital program based on it, without needing specialist capacity.
When diet has run its course
For patients who have plateaued on low-FODMAP: gut-directed hypnotherapy performed similarly to the diet in a Monash trial².
After a clear workup
For patients with a functional diagnosis who need more than reassurance: a structured program with progress you can track.
When GI psychology is out of reach
A year of Nerva costs about as much as one GI psychology session, and your patient is contacted within 24 hours.
Experiences from clinicians and patients
“The program is a life saver! Long time IBS sufferer who has done the low FODMAP thing and tried so so many supplements and probiotics, with mixed success. I was skeptical that 6 weeks was going to make a difference, but oh my goodness, I was feeling so much better at week 4 and am still feeling great.”
“Literally life changing! I have struggled with IBS for over 15 years. I have tried multiple restrictive diets, had countless doctors appointments, and eventually just completely gave up trying to fix it. Within two weeks of daily hypnosis sessions I was seeing noticeable improvement.”
“Nerva changed my life. I struggled with severe digestive symptoms for a long time. I was unable to digest, I lost weight dangerously, and everything I ate hurt me. This was a dark season with very little hope. An ER doctor recommended Nerva to help issues between my brain and gut (vagus nerve), and after trying it, my life is changed.”
“I was very skeptical when I was referred by my Gastro but I was desperate and willing to give it a fair shot. No meds or diet changes were helping consistently, constant cycles of urgent diarrhea followed by days of constipation for years… 5 weeks into the program, I feel the best I have in months.”
“Nerva makes gut directed hypnotherapy accessible. 3 weeks in and I’m noticing an improvement in symptoms even though my gut issues aren’t only due to IBS. The app makes it so easy to keep up with and the hypnotherapy audios are so calming and lovely. As a dietitian, I recommend this app to my clients too!”
“I’m 65 years old and have struggled with IBS and anxiety my whole life. I am a dietitian and have tried every dietary modification I could find with modest results. Nerva gave me the missing piece I’ve been looking for – teaching my brain how to effectively communicate with my gut.”
Individual results may vary.
Patient eligibility
Nerva has published research across all IBS subtypes. It may be particularly appropriate for individuals who:
- Are 14 years or older
- Have a clinical diagnosis of IBS or another gut-brain disorder
- Are receptive to a gut-brain approach for symptom management
- Would benefit from integrating evidence-based behavioral strategies
Referred patients automatically receive 25% off, and the Patient Assistance Program can help when cost remains a barrier.
The referral process
- 1
Refer a patient
Share patient info via our secure webform. Referred patients get 25% off.
- 2
We onboard
We contact your patient within 24 hours and guide them through intake.
- 3
You receive updates
The self-reported IBS-SSS and PHQ-4 check-ins your patient chooses to share reach you through our secure reporting system.
Clinical resources to support your consult
Complimentary printed resources for your next consult, developed by Nerva's clinical specialists.
Patient brochure
In-consult guide
Nerva's Advisory Board
Dr. Simone Peters
Psychophysiologist and Adjunct Research Fellow, Department of Gastroenterology, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University and Alfred Health
Dr. Brooks D. Cash, MD, FACG
Chief of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Dr. Lin Chang, MD, FACG
Vice Chief, Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA; Program Director GI Fellowship, and Co-Director, Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience
Dr. William D. Chey, MD, FACG
Professor of Gastroenterology and Nutrition Sciences at Michigan Medicine; Chief of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, and president elect (2026) of the American College of Gastroenterology
Dr. Megan Riehl, PsyD, AGAF
Clinical Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, Health Psychologist and Clinical Director of the GI Behavioral Health Program at Michigan Medicine
Dr. Kyle Staller, MD, MPH
Director, GI Motility Laboratory at Mass General Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School
Dr. Leila Neshatian
GI Program Director, Neuro-Gastroenterology Fellowship, Stanford; Director, Neurogastroenterology and Motility and GI Director, Pelvic Health Center
Prof. Peter Gibson
Professor of Gastroenterology at Monash University, widely known for co-developing the low-FODMAP diet and leading luminal GI research in Australia
Nancee Jaffe MS, RDN
Founder, UCLA Division of Digestive Diseases GI Nutrition Program
Dr. Justin Brandler
Neurogastroenterologist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
Amy Stewart, NP
Lead APP at Capital Digestive Care specializing in IBD & IBS
Prof. Spenser Dorn, MD, MPH, MHA
Professor of Medicine & Vice Chair, Care Innovation at UNC, expert in how artificial intelligence is redesigning speciality care
Assoc. Prof. Emma Halmos
Associate Professor of gastroenterology research and senior research dietitian at Monash University, Alfred Health
Dr. Mark Salvatore, MD, MS
Founder and Clinical Director, Pediatric Mind-Body Medicine Program at Mass General Brigham for Children. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School. Associate in Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition
Prof. Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS
Director of Health Services Research for Cedars-Sinai, Director of the Cedars-Sinai Master's Degree Program in Health Delivery Science, and the George and Dorothy Gourrich Chair in Digital Health Ethics
Get in touch with a clinical specialist
Book a brief call to discuss Nerva, referral options, EMR integration, or a lunch and learn for your clinic.
Emily Mahadeo
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) & Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Common questions
What is the cost? Is it covered by insurance?
Nerva is an annual subscription. Patients referred through the clinician form get 25% off, bringing it to $149.25 USD for 12 months, about the cost of a single GI psychology session. Nerva isn't currently covered by insurance, but patients can pay with HSA or FSA funds using a Letter of Medical Necessity from a healthcare provider.
Patients start with a 7-day free trial and have a 42-day money-back guarantee. Those experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for support through Nerva's Patient Assistance Program.
What research supports Nerva?
Nerva builds on the Monash University gut-directed hypnotherapy protocol. In a randomized controlled trial, 81% of participants achieved significant improvement in symptom management, with results maintained at 6-month follow-up¹. An earlier Monash trial found gut-directed hypnotherapy worked as well as the low FODMAP diet for managing IBS symptoms². Nerva was co-founded by Dr. Simone Peters, one of that study's lead researchers.
How do I explain gut-brain therapy?
Guided relaxation and visualization help the brain respond more calmly to gut signals, like calming an overactive alarm system. For more detail, see our Mechanism of Action page.
How do I refer patients and track progress?
Referrals take seconds through Nerva's secure online form, and Nerva handles onboarding, follow-up, and support. The self-reported IBS-SSS and PHQ-4 check-ins your patient chooses to share reach you through our HIPAA-compliant reporting system.
How does this fit into my workflow?
Referrals take under 30 seconds, and the Nerva team manages patient communication and support. It can sit alongside dietary, pharmacological, or psychological care.
How is user data protected?
Nerva meets HIPAA and SOC 2 compliance standards. All patient data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and never shared without consent.
How does Nerva fit alongside clinical care?
Nerva is not a diagnostic device. It is a self-guided program designed to help people with diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) self-manage symptoms and improve quality of life, without making specific care recommendations.
- Anderson, Ellen J. BNutSci, MDiet1,2; Peters, Simone L. BSc (Psychophysiology) (Hons), PhD1; Gibson, Peter R. MBBS(Hons), MD1,2; Halmos, Emma P. BNutDiet, PGradDipBSc, PhD1,2. Comparison of Digitally Delivered Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Program With an Active Control for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The American Journal of Gastroenterology 120(2):p 440-448, February 2025. DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002921
- Peters, S. L., Yao, C. K., Philpott, H., Yelland, G. W., Muir, J. G., & Gibson, P. R. (2016). Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 44(5), 447–459. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13706