The Science of Stress Relief: David Poole on NuCalm, Patents, and the Future of Human Performance

When was the last time you gave your nervous system a break? For many of us, stress feels like the background music of modern life—constant, relentless, and dangerously normalized. But what if managing stress was as simple as hitting “play” on an app?

In a recent episode of The ME Show, host Ali Mehdaoui sat down with David Poole, cofounder and Chief Business Officer of NuCalm, to unpack the patented neuroscience that is redefining how we rest, recover, and perform. What followed was a deep dive into science, business, and real-life application—from Harvard data to hockey injuries to parenting.

What Is NuCalm?

NuCalm is the world’s only patented neuroscience technology clinically proven to lower stress, improve sleep, and accelerate recovery—without drugs, side effects, or compromise.

As Poole explains, “We literally have the only tool that’s patented in the world that can balance and maintain the health of the human autonomic nervous system.”

Unlike stimulants, sedatives, or quick fixes, NuCalm works with your brain’s natural rhythms to shift the body into a state of parasympathetic dominance—the state of calm and recovery most of us rarely experience.

The Harvard Insight: 14 Minutes to Calm

One of the turning points for NuCalm came during collaboration with Harvard researcher Dr. Chung-Kang Peng. In repeated trials, subjects showed parasympathetic dominance within 14 minutes of using NuCalm.

It didn’t matter their age, background, or medications. The nervous system responded predictably. For Poole, this was the “mic drop” moment: hard data proving NuCalm worked in ways no other consumer wellness tool had before.

Why Stress Management Can’t Wait

Poole is blunt: stress is killing us. Cortisol may have evolved for survival, but in today’s nonstop environment, it’s become a silent destroyer.

“Walk me through your stress management program,” Poole used to ask audiences. Silence. No hands raised. Most of us cope with alcohol, caffeine, or sheer denial. But very few of us have a daily system for managing stress.

NuCalm’s promise is simple: make stress management as routine as diet and exercise.

The Power of the Nap: Creating a “Second Day”

One of the most powerful use cases of NuCalm is the 20–40 minute session that creates what Poole calls a “second day.”

Without NuCalm, he admits he’d hit a wall at 7 PM. With it, he powers through into the evening without caffeine or burnout. Athletes, founders, and parents alike describe the same effect—clarity, focus, and renewed energy.

As Ali added during the show: “It’s like waking up all over again, mid-day.”

Patents, Copycats, and Credibility

In the wellness industry—especially around brain health—consumers are bombarded with flashy apps, algorithms, and unproven gadgets that make bold claims but rarely deliver. That’s why patents matter. Poole spent years navigating the U.S. Patent Office, proving both novelty and efficacy.

The result: NuCalm isn’t a wellness app; it’s a protected, validated technology. Copycats may flood the market, but none can replicate the intellectual property or clinical validation behind NuCalm.

From Clinics to Your Pocket

Originally a multi-part clinical system, NuCalm now lives in a consumer-friendly app. The lineup includes:

Rescue – powerful relaxation and recovery
PowerNap – the ultimate recharge
DeepSleep – deep, restorative sleep
Ignite - energy boost
Focus - laser focus
FlowState – unlock creativity

A recent addition is the Stress Assessment tool, which uses voice analysis to deliver instant feedback on your nervous system. Think of it as a daily resilience dashboard, guiding you to the right session.

Athletes, Operators, Parents: A Universal Story

From NHL players to Navy operators, from high-powered lawyers to single parents—the story is the same. Stress.

Athletes deal with contracts, injuries, and public scrutiny. Operators face deployments and trauma. Parents juggle businesses and kids without an “off” switch.

NuCalm doesn’t cure illness or erase pain, but it reduces the stress that exacerbates every condition. For many, 30 minutes of NuCalm is the only time in the day when they feel relief.

Building Trust Without Hype

Unlike many startups, NuCalm didn’t grow through influencer campaigns or celebrity endorsements. Its growth has been word-of-mouth—people sharing results because they genuinely felt the change.

“Let the product do the talking,” Poole says. “If you try it and it doesn’t help, then maybe there’s nothing I can do for you.”

Where NuCalm Is Headed

Looking ahead, Poole wants NuCalm to be a change agent—making stress management a daily non-negotiable.

His vision: a culture where managing stress is as routine as going to the gym. A society where sleep isn’t sacrificed for productivity, and where tools like NuCalm give people the clarity to live authentically.

How to Try NuCalm Today

Take the Stress Assessment (35 seconds)
Start your free trial and experience the Rescue or PowerNap sessions.
Do it three days in a row. As Poole promises: Day 1 resist, Day 2 accept, Day 3—“you’ll love it.”

Final Thoughts

Stress and poor sleep are chronic problems of modern life. But with tools like NuCalm, managing them doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or parent, NuCalm offers a practical, patented, drug-free path to living stress free, sleeping deeper, and performing better.