Neurofeedback FAQ
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a process of training brainwaves back into healthy patterns using modern computer technology. This non-invasive and drug free approach uses brain imaging technology to record brainwave activity and identify unhealthy brainwave patterns. Once irregular patterns have been identified, they can be corrected using guided audio and visual feedback. This amazing technology has proven itself effective over decades of research studies and real world application with conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Fibromyalgia, Migraines and a host of other disorders.
How does Neurofeedback Work?
Neurofeedback uses audio and visual cues to change timing and activation patterns in the brain. It does not target any condition, but instead slowly guides your brain back to normal ranges, reconnecting the neural pathways that have been disconnected. The result is an improvement in brain regulation, which in turn impacts a variety of symptoms.
What is Brain Mapping?
Brain mapping is the process we use to visualize inside the brain and identify irregular brainwave patterns. Using a cap placed on your head, our software captures the electrical impulses in the brain. The results are uploaded to a database, which generates a detailed report identifying the problem areas of your brain. The report will also generate a set of protocols for addressing those problems using neurofeedback.
Could you explain more about brainwaves?
Your brain produces four primary types of brain waves: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. Beta is primarily active during your awake state, which is most of your day. Alpha has to do with your subconscious and is dominant during relaxed states when your eyes are closed but you are not asleep. Theta is present briefly during the periods before you fall asleep and before you fully wake up. Delta is primarily active when you are asleep. All of these brain waves are equally important to your health, and neurological disorders can be attributed to specific brain waves. For example, when you have brain irregularities caused by a head injury, your brain may have too much frontal theta or delta being produced when you are supposed to be awake and alert. By retraining these abnormal patterns in the affected areas, symptoms can be improved or eliminated.
How Long do Neurofeedback Sessions take?
Each session usually lasts 30 minutes.
How many neurofeedback sessions are needed?
The number of sessions needed will depend on the individual. Much like going to the gym, every person requires a different length of time to improve. 20 – 40 sessions is normal for many conditions to improve.
What Happens During a Neurofeedback Session?
Neurofeedback sessions involve relaxing for 30 minutes while you watch a movie or listen to music of your choice. electrodes are attached to your scalp that monitor your brainwaves during the session. When irregular patterns are detected, a response is triggered from the software that pauses or dims the video or music. Your brain senses the change and subconsciously modifies itself back into a normal pattern. With repetition of this process, eventually your brain learns to stay within healthy ranges on its own without neurofeedback.
How soon will I see results from Neurofeedback?
Again, results will vary from person to person. Some feel different within a couple of sessions, while tougher conditions will take many sessions to see any noticeable results. It’s important to not get impatient and listen to the practitioner. They should be able to show you the graph results of each sessions, which will provide a visual reference of improvement. The type of neurofeedback training we offer here is permanent. Neurofeedback helps to improve functions such as concentration, short-term memory, speech, motor skills, sleep, energy level, and emotional balance.
How Long Will the Effects Of Neurofeedback Last?
Long term follow ups have been done on many patients over the years. Dr. Joel Lubar at the University of Tennessee has followed ADD clients who’ve sustained their improvements from neurofeedback for 10-20 years. Published research on epilepsy 12 months after brain training shows the effects on epilepsy usually holds. Owners of the Clear Mind System have commonly reported no relapses from patients after 10 years.
Can I use neurofeedback While on Medication
Yes you can start neurofeedback while on your medications. As you progress your physician might suggest that you slowly reduce or eliminate certain medications related to the condition that you are addressing with neurofeedback. Since every patient is unique, the decision to reduce medication will be up to your physician. More research is needed on this, but a common theory is that the same dosage seems to have a stronger effect on a more efficient brain.
Can Neurofeedback Cause Negative Effects?
Neurofeedback is safe when used by trained specialists. Each session is designed to create small changes in brainwave activity and constant monitoring means that any potential issues can be spotted before they become entrained. Our clinic has extensive training on this equipment and can change protocols as needed to adapt to the individual’s needs making the treatment very safe.
Can neurofeedback Help with ADD and ADHD?
Recent research suggests that individuals with ADD/ADHD tend to have elevated theta brainwave activity and low levels of beta brainwave activity. Symptoms of ADD/ADHD are usually reduced when brainwave activity is changed. Neurofeedback is commonly used as an adjunct or alternative treatment to medication and behaviour management