neurofeedback

Neurofeedback Training

Anyone can benefit from improved brain function. The brain governs all physical, emotional, and cognitive functions, and in an ideal state, it can naturally do its job quite well. As we will see, though, there are many occasions where the brain is not functioning in a smoothly-coordinated way. Neurofeedback training is a well-researched, highly-effective brain training method that can reduce and even extinguish many emotional, behavioral, and somatic disorders. Neurofeedback Training can help you to :

  • Quiet your mind and reduce over thinking
  • Change the way you react to stress
  •  Increase your attention span
  • Improve quality and ease of sleep
  • Reduce fatigue and overwhelm
  • Improve mood, and achieve a greater sense of wellness
  • Reduce psychiatric intervention or need for medication

What Causes Brainwave Disruptions?

Blue DNA detail background with selective focus.

Genetic Predisposition

Genetic Predisposition

A person may be born with a tendency towards brainwave dysregulation, meaning that the brain has a hard time keeping all of its rhythms stable and in balance. Examples include "true" or neurologic ADHD, and some forms of migraine headaches. Genetics can also contribute to sleep regulation problems, pain sensitivity, anxiety, and depression.

Mother checking on sick daughter laying in bed

External Factors

External Factors

Exposure to television during the brain's early developmental phases has now been linked to the occurrence of ADHD. Research supports the finding that watching TV before the age of 5 causes the brain to resonate with the patterns emitted by the TV. This can create an excess of alpha brainwaves, causing the brain to shift into a non-attentive “offline” state. A child’s developing brain is not strong enough to compete against this input, and it “defaults” to Alpha states, making it more difficult to transition into the attentive, goal-focused state characteristic of Beta waves – the kind needed to focus on homework problems.

An unhappy young girl standing with her arms folded with her parents arguing in the background

Traumatic Experiences

Traumatic Experiences

Trauma, both physical and emotional, can be very disruptive to brain functioning. Although the brain naturally works towards proper regulation, the occurrence of trauma may get it stuck in a “loop” where one will see typical PTSD symptoms-- such as recurrent nightmares, panic, flashbacks and avoidance-- that are easily triggered. These states all come with unbalanced brainwaves that then settle in and can manifest in emotions and behaviors that are distressing.

Worried teenager woman covering her face with hand, Scared woman

Chronic Stress

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress, injury, illness, inadequate/poor nutrition, and toxic substances can all lead to poor brain regulation. The brain requires specific minerals and nutrients, adequate water, and a non-toxic environment to be able to function optimally. Correcting and improving the physical/organic environment is important, but the brain can't always resume its original functioning on its own.

brain waves

Brainwaves are the basis of everything our brains do. Neurofeedback training uses computers and research data to analyze brainwave activity so that the brain is able to "look in a mirror" and notice what's "in tune" and what isn't. With this information, the brain can be trained to re-regulate and improve its functioning.

High quality 3d macro render of Neuron cells

Delta- 0-4 hz

Glowing synapse in human neural system network. Full CGI showing active neuron cells.

Theta- 4-8hz

Neurons in the brain

Alpha- 8-13hz

Closeup of the synapse transmitting signal along neuron network.

Beta- 13-40hz

People who experience symptoms related to ADHD often times have deregulation in Theta and Beta waves in the frontal brain area. Theta dominance essentially overwhelms the front part of the brain, thus leaving Beta "muted out" or underactive. With Neurofeedback Training, Beta waves in the frontal part of the brain are rewarded through reinforcement, and frontal Theta activity can be diminished (inhibited), thus restoring the proper balance between the two types of waves. In the SPECT image below, the orange and yellow areas show the dominance of Theta activity prior to Neurofeedback Training; the image on the right shows how diminishing the Theta waves puts them into a state of functional balance, thus allowing Beta activity to cease being stifled or muted in the mix.

before-after02
Pre-frontal Theta activity of ADHD patient pre and post Neurofeedback

 Brain functioning can be measured by looking at the electrical pattern of the brainwaves. The shape/form of the pattern depicts how fast or slow the brainwaves are moving, and thus how they are classified.  When brainwaves become over- or under-active in specific parts of the brain, we may experience behavioral, emotional, and physical symptoms.

Frequently Asked questions

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