Neurofeedback is something that feels like it should belong in a science fiction movie, but it’s actually very real. It uses real-life feedback to help your brain learn better habits so that it can function better.
This form of training is almost similar to how you’d train your body at a gym—just for your brain. Your brain can be trained to stay healthier and work more efficiently. Ultimately, Neurofeedback helps to show your brain what it’s doing in real time to help shift it into patterns that are healthier and more balanced.
One of the best parts about Neurofeedback is that it doesn’t require any type of surgery or medication. All it takes is the feedback, training, and a little patience. Let’s learn more about neurofeedback therapy and how it works.
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback. Biofeedback is a technique that helps individuals gain more control over some of their bodily functions, like their heart rate or breathing. Neurofeedback focuses on brain waves. The brain waves in the brain, like alpha, beta, delta, and theta, are patterns of electrical activity in the brain. Different patterns are linked to different bodily states.
The Basics
Neurofeedback involves tracking and monitoring your brainwaves or the brain’s electrical activity. With the help of this information, you can help guide a more balanced state of mind. Electrodes, or small sensors, are placed on the scalp to help read the brainwaves. Neurofeedback is actually a simple, gentle, and non-invasive process.
With the help of audio and visual cues, you can receive feedback on how your brain is doing in real time. Throughout neurofeedback therapy sessions, your brain will learn from this feedback and start to shift into patterns that allow it to be more calm, balanced, or focused, depending on the goals you may have.
How Neurofeedback Therapy Works
Reading Your Brainwaves
Whenever you feel, focus, think, or rest, your brain is constantly giving off electrical signals. These signals form patterns that are known as brainwaves. Your brainwaves are constantly shifting, depending on your actions, behaviors, and feelings. During a neurofeedback session, electrodes, or small sensors, are placed on your scalp to help listen in. These sensors can pick up on your brainwave activity and feed it to a computer.
Real-Time Feedback
This is where the feedback portion of neurofeedback comes into play. The computer will analyze your brain patterns and give feedback through a screen instantly. When your brain shifts into a healthy pattern, everything runs smoothly. When your brain is anxious or distracted, everything may feel slower or dimmer. This real-time feedback encourages your brain to continue to stay in that better state of mind, so it continues to be rewarded.
Neuroplasicity
One of the best things about neurofeedback is that you don’t really have to do anything, at least not consciously. Your brain can do most of the work by picking up on the patterns naturally. Over time, it will learn and recognize what different states feel like and go there more often, all on its own. This process of the brain being able to change and rewire itself through its own experiences is known as neuroplasticity.
How Long Does It Take?
Similar to going to the gym, neurofeedback takes both time and consistency. A majority of people don’t feel any changes until they’ve been engaging in sessions for a few weeks or even months. It typically takes between 20-40 sessions for someone to see steady and long-lasting results. The exact number of sessions is unique for each person, depending on what they’re working on.
Next Steps
Neurofeedback uses positive reinforcement. It shows your brain what it’s doing and rewards it for doing better. With the help of continued sessions, your brain will learn how to function in a calm, clear, and efficient way. Reach out today to set up an initial consultation if you are interested in learning more about neurofeedback therapy.
