The Science Behind Pep: A New Era in Non-Invasive Chronic Pain Relief

How the Brain Creates Pain

For decades, doctors thought chronic pain was always caused by something wrong in the body. But new research shows chronic pain can persist even when there’s no ongoing tissue damage. This doesn’t mean it’s “all in your head”—it means your brain is stuck in a pain loop, and your brain can change.

Pain is a protective output from the brain, not a direct readout of body damage. In chronic pain, the brain can get stuck in a “danger” mode, sending pain signals even when there’s no threat.

“Our results suggest that reappraising pain as a brain-generated signal—not a reflection of injury—can actually retrain the brain to turn down the pain.”
— Dr. Yoni Ashar, neuroscientist & lead author

2021, JAMA Psychiatry: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) helped 66% of people with chronic back pain become completely pain-free.

Therapy Techniques Used in Pep

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)

A cutting-edge mind-body therapy that teaches the brain to reinterpret chronic pain signals as safe — helping stop the cycle of pain at its source.

Research: In a major 2021 randomized trial published in *JAMA Psychiatry*, 66% of participants with chronic back pain became pain-free or nearly pain-free after just 4 weeks. 98% improved overall. These results held up a year later — and were far better than placebo or standard care.

Effectiveness: Highly effective for primary pain conditions like chronic back pain. Fast-acting and long-lasting results in clinical trials.