Global Wellness Summit Names Neurowellness and Nervous System Regulation Top Trend for 2026

The Global Wellness Summit released its 2026 trends report this year, identifying neurowellness as the leading health and wellness trend. The term refers to the use of technology and somatic practices to actively regulate the nervous system, rather than simply treating symptoms after they appear.

The report, which draws on input from wellness professionals, researchers, and industry leaders across more than 100 countries, said consumers are increasingly burned out by constant self-tracking and data-driven health protocols. The industry is responding with a shift toward approaches that focus on emotional repair, stress resilience, and what the report calls "nervous system safety."

Tools in this category range from consumer-friendly neurotech devices, such as vagus nerve stimulators and EEG-guided headsets, to traditional practices like breathwork, touch therapy, and somatic movement. The report says these practices are being reframed as "nervous system medicine" rather than alternative wellness.

A second major trend identified in the report is the "festivalization" of wellness. The summit noted a surge in social, experiential wellness events, including group immersions and what some organizers are calling wellness raves, where the focus is on connection and joy rather than discipline.

Women's longevity also featured prominently. The report said the longevity market, historically built around data and protocols derived from male subjects, is undergoing a shift toward ovarian-centric research and interventions tailored to women's health across all life stages.

The summit also flagged microplastics as a growing concern. Some clinics are already offering treatments aimed at reducing microplastic loads in the body, and the report said the wellness sector is moving from awareness to active intervention on the issue.

The full report is available at globalwellnesssummit.com.