What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that allows individuals to obtain self-regulation of their brain.  It is a non-invasive, drug-free service that uses real-time brainwave monitoring to help individuals improve their mental and emotional well-being.  By understanding brain function and teaching the brain better self-regulation, individuals can address a range of cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges.

How Neurofeedback Works

Neurofeedback is based on the idea that the brain can be trained like a muscle.  Using an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brainwave activity, neurofeedback provides real time feedback.  The process involves placing sensors gently on the scalp to monitor specific brainwave patterns.  During a neurofeedback session, the brain receives positive feedback through visual and auditory stimuli when it produces the desired brainwave activity. Over time, the brain creates and maintains the desired brainwave pathways, keeping the brainwaves in balance on its own and offering results long into the future.

Brainwave Activity and Mental Health

The human brain operates on a series of electrical impulses known as brainwaves.  These brainwaves are divided into different types, each associated with particular mental states:

  • Delta Waves: Associated with deep sleep and restorative processes.
  • Theta Waves: Related to creativity, intuition, and daydreaming.
  • Alpha Waves: Linked to a relaxed yet focused state of mind, often associated with meditation
  • Beta Waves: Involved in active thinking, concentration, and problem-solving.
  • Gamma Waves: Associated with high-level information processing and cognitive functioning.

Imbalances in these brainwaves can contribute to various mental health conditions such as anxiety, ADHD/ADD, depression, and sleep disorders.  Neurofeedback works by encouraging the brain to develop healthier patterns, leading to better brainwave balance which in turn improves many mental health conditions.

Applications of Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is used to reduce the symptoms of a wide range of mental health and neurological conditions, including:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD): Studies have shown that neurofeedback can help children and adults improve focus, impulse control, and executive functioning by promoting more balanced brainwave activity.
  • Anxiety and Depression: Neurofeedback can help individuals with the symptoms and behaviors associated with anxiety and depression by training the brain to normalize the areas identified to be dysregulated.
  • Sleep Disorders: By regulating the brain, neurofeedback can improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia by promoting relaxation and better sleep patterns.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Neurofeedback can help those suffering from the symptoms and behaviors associated with PTSD by encouraging the brain to reduce fight or flight and regain a sense of calm and control.

Benefits of Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback offers several key benefits for those looking to improve their mental health and emotional well-being:

  • Non-invasive: Neurofeedback does not require medication or surgical interventions and is a gentle and non-invasive process.
  • Medication-free: For those seeking an alternative to treatments involving medication, neurofeedback can be an appealing option with no medication and fewer side effects.
  • Long-lasting Effects: Neurofeedback trains the brain to function better on its own making the benefits long-lasting. Through the sessions, the brain learns the pathways and then, over time, learns to maintain those pathways outside of the sessions.
  • Customizable Plans: Neurofeedback is tailored to each individual based on the results of their own personal brain map, making it a highly personalized service.

What to Expect at a Neurofeedback Session

A typical neurofeedback session lasts 15-30 minutes and is a simple and painless process.  Here’s what you can expect from neurofeedback:

  1. A free initial evaluation. Before getting started with any new service, you will complete a free initial evaluation with the staff at A Restored Mind to determine if neurofeedback is a good fit for your symptoms and your goals.
  2. Brain mapping. Once you’ve decided to start neurofeedback, the first session involves a brain map where your brainwaves are monitored and recorded which provides a road map for your individualized neurofeedback sessions.
  3. Neurofeedback sessions. While you watch a movie or listen to music, your brainwaves will be monitored to know when to send the reward tones and visual stimuli. When your brainwaves move into undesirable patterns, the audio or visual stimuli will change to reward your brainwaves for moving to more desirable patterns.  You simply relax and while we do the rest.
  4. Training over time. Neurofeedback typically requires multiple sessions to achieve desired outcomes. Like going to the gym for a workout, each session moves you closer to the ultimate goal, but repeated sessions are needed to experience the best results.
  5. You don’t have to continue training forever. Like exercise, multiple sessions are needed to train your brain to create and maintain better neuropathways. Unlike exercise, once your brain has learned these pathways it will maintain them over a long period of time meaning you do not need to continue neurofeedback forever.

Neurofeedback leads to wellness, start today!

If you are dealing with the symptoms of anxiety, ADHD/ADD, PTSD, depression, migraines, an autism spectrum disorder, or other mental health related conditions, contact us to see if neurofeedback is right for you.  The passionate staff at A Restored Mind can be reached online through our contact us page, or you can call and speak to someone at 336-480-7623.  Reach out today for your free initial evaluation!