Optimizing the brain. Strengthening the community.
Brain+ is a scalable brain-wellness program that combines small-group virtual reality training, validated outcome measurement, and optional biomarker testing — delivered as either a member benefit or a fee-based program.
Trauma is more common than we know —
and less visible than we assume.
Say the word "trauma" out loud, and most people picture something dramatic: a soldier returning from war, a survivor of violence, one catastrophic event that leaves a visible scar. That picture isn't wrong — it's just incomplete, and it can quietly stop people from recognizing trauma in their own lives.
It can look like chronic stress: a parent who hasn't slept well in months and just calls it "being tired." A coworker who goes quiet in meetings and no one thinks to ask why. Someone who still tenses up at a certain sound, years after an accident they rarely mention. Research suggests 60–70% of adults will experience at least one potentially traumatic event in their lifetime — most are simply carrying it, unnamed, and getting on with their day.
That's the gap Brain+ is built for — not to label anyone, but to meet people where they already are, with something that recognizes trauma doesn't always announce itself.
- Anxiety and heightened, hard-to-shake stress responses
- Chronic stress
- Depression and low mood
- Sleep disruption — trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking rested
- Chronic inflammation and other physical effects, including cardiovascular strain
- Reduced concentration, energy, and workplace productivity
- Strained family and personal relationships
A 5-day protocol, three components
Brain+ brings together standardized psychological assessment, immersive VR, and optional biomarker testing into one small-group experience delivered inside the Y.
Small-Group VR Training
Immersive virtual reality intervention delivered in small groups, offered in a 4+1 or 8+1 headset format so a Y can start small and scale with demand.
4+1 / 8+1 headset packagesYMCA Core Signal Panel
An optional blood-based panel screening 22 biomarkers associated with neuro-inflammation and metabolic inflammation — an indicator of program candidacy, not a diagnosis — paired with a companion tracking tool.
22 biomarkers + companion toolValidated Outcome Measurement
Participants complete brief, validated PCL-5 and Kessler-6 surveys on Day 1 and Day 5 — so change is tracked, not just reported.
PCL-5 · Kessler-6 · Day 1 & Day 5Five pillars behind the program
Member Impact
Designed to produce real, felt improvement in stress, sleep, and day-to-day well-being — not just program participation.
Evidence-Informed
Outcomes tracked with validated psychological instruments (PCL-5, Kessler-6) and, optionally, objective blood biomarkers.
Operational Flexibility
Every Y chooses the model that fits its budget and mission — member benefit or fee-based program.
New Revenue Opportunity
A fee-based Brain+ program creates a new, ongoing revenue line without duplicating existing wellness offerings.
Community & National Impact
Trauma's ripple effects reach families, workplaces, and communities — Brain+ moves the needle one location at a time.
Staff Well-Being & Culture
Brain+ isn't only a member-facing benefit — coordinators and staff who deliver the program, and any staff who participate directly, gain the same access to stress reduction, better sleep, and improved day-to-day well-being. Investing in the people who show up for members every day helps build a culture of care that reduces burnout and strengthens the Y as a place people want to work, not just visit.
Fits how your Y already operates
Every association is different, so Brain+ was built to run either as a benefit already inside membership, or as its own revenue-generating program.
Member Benefit
Offer Brain+ as part of the value members already get from their Y — deepening engagement and retention without adding a line item to their bill.
- Positioned inside existing membership
- Strengthens retention and member well-being
- Simple entry point for associations testing demand
Fee-Based Program
Run Brain+ as a standalone paid program with its own enrollment and pricing — a new, sustainable revenue stream built on measurable outcomes.
- Annual pricing set at the association level
- Own enrollment and cohort scheduling
- Additional referral services available via Blue Rose Consulting
The experience, and what it showed
Roughly 100 members and community participants were enrolled through the Mission Viejo and Newport-Mesa Family YMCAs, June–July 2026, in partnership with Neurova Labs, iXpressGenes, and Greater Than Analytics.
Participants with greater baseline trauma burden generally showed the largest improvements — supporting the value of identifying trauma phenotypes rather than treating all participants the same.Preliminary Pilot Findings — Brain+ Pilot Study, YMCA of Orange County
A pilot built on outside expertise
Brain+ isn't a Y-built product — it's a collaboration, which is why the data behind it holds up to scrutiny.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for members and prospects, plus a board, donor, and staff edition for internal conversations.
What is Brain+?
Who developed Brain+?
What does the program actually involve?
Is Brain+ a medical treatment?
Why does Brain+ focus on trauma?
Can an association choose how to offer it?
Why should the Y invest in this?
How rigorous is the pilot data behind Brain+?
Can pilot results be shared publicly or with prospective funders?
What's the growth potential for Brain+?
What package options exist for delivering the program?
What's my role as a Pilot Study Coordinator?
Does Brain+ benefit staff as well as members?
Who supports the clinical, genetic, and analytics components?
Ready to bring Brain+ to your Y?
Tell us a little about your association and we'll follow up with pricing, headset package options, and next steps for scaling.