TRE: The Body's Natural Mechanism for Releasing Tension and Trauma | Dr. David Berceli

Your body already knows how to release stress — but you've been taught to suppress it. In this Mind Architect episode, Dr. David Berceli, creator of TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises), reveals how our natural tremor mechanism can help us discharge tension, process trauma, and restore balance.

Dr. David Berceli developed TRE while living in war zones, observing how humans naturally contract and release during threat. His method has now spread to over 80 countries. Joining him is Elvira Stanescu, an internationally certified TRE provider who has been practicing for nearly 5 years. Facilitating the conversation is our colleague Adrian Dinu.

We explored the following topics in our conversation with David and Elvira:

Why children shake naturally during stress — and why adults suppress itHow tremoring communicates between the nervous system and brainThe difference between exhausting yourself through exercise vs. actual releaseHow TRE can help parents, athletes, helping professionals, and couplesCurrent research on TRE and depression from studies in China

Resources mentioned:

Dr. David Berceli's book on TRE (now available in Romanian) David's website Romanian TRE Association TRE Global website Dr. David Berceli's YouTube Channel for research results and tutorialsFive ongoing research projects in China examining brain activity changes with TRE, including studies on depressed teenagers and their parents

You can join us live during episode recordings and get your questions answered directly by becoming a Mind Architect Premium Member here

Episode produced in partnership with Editura Herald.

"(00:00) Introduction: The body's hidden stress release mechanism"

"(01:50) Welcome and episode overview"

"(03:55) How Dr. Berceli discovered TRE in war zones"

"(06:30) The tremor mechanism in all mammals"

"(08:35) What happens in the body when we tremor"

"(12:01) How people experience tremoring in the beginning"

"(14:07) Tension vs. trauma: Why both matter"

"(17:09) The risk of overwhelm and how to self-regulate"

"(20:13) Dos and don'ts: How to start practicing TRE safely"

"(23:57) TRE vs. exhausting exercise: What's the difference?"

"(26:32) How the body takes over and releases patterns"

"(29:14) TRE for athletes and military personnel"

"(36:41) Cultural adaptations: China, Latin America, Romania"

"(44:50) TRE for helping professionals: Coaches, therapists, trainers"

"(50:13) How to integrate mind and body without forcing it"

"(54:30) TRE for parents and family systems"

"(01:00:00) The body's ability to heal specific injuries"

"(01:01:48) Collective trauma and healing in community"

"(01:11:50) The future: Vibration, sound, and medicine"

"(01:14:45) Resources and where to learn more"