Lingual-neuro testing (LNT) is a technique used to understand how various foods or substances may affect an individual’s body. It’s part of a broader approach that emphasizes the body's responses to different nutrients and dietary components. The technique has been a game changer for me and many of my clients who have experienced it.

Here’s a brief overview of what lingual-neuro testing involves:

• Principle: The technique is based on the idea that the body can respond to specific substances in a measurable way. By applying gentle pressure to reflex points on the body associated with organs, we can feel how the body reacts to different foods or supplements. Most points are located along the ribcage, sternum, and legs.

• Original method: When it was first developed, LNT required placing a food or supplement to the client’s tongue, which would sense the substance and prepares the body to receive the material. The tongue-nervous system connection is where the name originates.

• New method: Over the years, many practitioners observed that rather than place foods or supplements on the tongue, they were often as effective when set near the chest or neck of the client. In my experience, this works for most people who try it. The phenomenon might have a basis in energetic resonance, which has been proposed as one explanation for how the brain may perceive aromatic compounds based on proximity rather than molecular shape.

How It Might Work

There’s also an intriguing study about distance runners who experienced the benefits of carbohydrates by taste alone, which provides a powerful example of the body’s ability to respond preemptively to substances it might ingest. The idea behind this is that the body's anticipation of the energy source can trigger physiological responses. The research showed that when athletes tasted a carbohydrate solution (without swallowing it), their performance improved, likely due to the brain signaling the muscles to prepare for the incoming energy. Such studies are fascinating because they suggest that the body's response to food doesn't depend solely on the actual digestion and absorption of nutrients, but also on sensory cues.

What to Expect

I have a client lay down comfortably on a raised table, and I’ll gently press on a series of reflex points that should feel tender to the touch. The client rates the sensitivity on a 0-10 scale. After establishing a baseline number for each point, we’ll introduce a series of nutrients or functional supports that might be helpful and revisit the points, noting whether there is a decrease in sensitivity.

When this works very well, sometimes the clients will ask whether pressure is even being applied — even when they are applying the pressure themselves!

I have seen lingual-neuro testing get consistent results with a variety of people of all ages. In some cases, client responses have hinted at underlying pathogens or microbiome imbalances, which subsequent GI-MAP panels corroborate. However, I have also found that if a client is on certain medications or carrying more muscle, the reflex points may be less responsive. As with anything, this method is one of many tools in our toolkit.

Client Education

Once learned, this technique can be self-administered and changing point sensitivity can serve as a gauge for progress. While fascinating and useful, it's worth noting that scientific validation is limited, and responses can vary widely. As with any health-related practice, it’s essential to consider a comprehensive approach that includes evidence-based nutrition and personalized care.

Check out this podcast that describes lingual-neuro testing, this description from Biotics Canada (PDF) that provides additional context, and this video that shows what the experience looks like.