About Neurofeedback Therapy
Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback, is a therapeutic process that helps people learn about and change their brain waves.
Neurofeedback is biofeedback with an EEG. Biofeedback refers to techniques that make it possible for you to watch measurements of your unconscious or involuntary bodily processes (such as heartbeat or brain waves) in order for you to regulate them better. EEG stands for electroencephalogram, a mainstream medical instrument that measures brain wave activity. Using neurofeedback, your brain improves its own regulation as you observe the measurement of its own activity as measured by an EEG.
In conjunction with other types of therapy, such as hypnosis, cognitive behavioral and behavior modification, neurofeedback offers new ways to address both the mental and physical aspects of mental health.
Non-Invasive
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive therapy technique. Unlike medications, nothing is going into your body with neurofeedback. It is a essentially a training technique that helps your brain properly regulate itself.
EEG History
EEGs have been used for decades to measure brain activity. For over 25 years EEGs have been used in research and therapy settings to help train people to change patterns of brain waves. Only recently have advances in computer technology made it widely available in private office settings.
How Does It Work?
The therapist, Dr. Bullard, sets up a simple game on a computer. Based on what condition or brain regulation we are trying to improve, the therapist sets the game up so that you progress in the game as your brain settles itself; as it properly regulates itself. In effect, your brain waves control the action of the game. As your brainwaves regulate, you progress in the simple computer game.
EEG and Brainwaves
Brainwaves are the result of electromagnetic signals constantly generated by the human brain that can be measured by an EEG. The EEG is a measurement tool: it measures brainwaves to reveal different types of rhythmic brain activity.
Computers can analyze and break down the EEG into different "bands" (brainwave frequency ranges) that brain researchers have related to different types of brain activity. For example, brainwaves in the Delta band are predominant when one is sleeping and are tied to sleep regulation, while brainwaves in the Beta band are predominant when one is actively engaged in a task.
Brainwaves reflect how your brain regulates your attention and arousal levels. Ideally our brain should have the flexibility to regulate the attention and arousal that is necessary for any given situation: attention to a task, settling down to sleep, contemplative relaxation. Some people’s brains become inflexible and struggle with too much over-arousal as they go about their day-to-day lives; they may be anxious or agitated. Others struggle with low arousal; they may be inattentive, depressed, or unmotivated. When the brain is poorly self-regulated, balancing one’s arousal and attention can become a constant mental battle.
Causes of Poorly Regulated Brainwaves
Genetics, physical or emotional trauma, chronic stress, illness or injury can all lead your brain to regulate itself poorly. The brain naturally tries to correct dysfunction, but if over time it cannot, new inappropriate functioning can become its normal pattern.
Physicians may prescribe medications to control the resulting physical or emotional symptoms, and these medications may help you get through your day, but medication usually does not address the cause of the symptoms and often causes unwanted side effects. Neurofeedback is a drug-free, non-invasive training process that can help restore the brain to better patterns of functioning.
What Is a Neurofeedback Session Like?
The practitioner attaches sensors to your scalp with a water-soluble paste, which detects the brainwave signals and sends them to a computer with special software and hardware that amplifies the signals. The computer allows you to play simple video games or view a movie in which your brainwaves control the game action or the progress of the movie.
As you generate brain waves that represent well-regulated attention and arousal levels, you get positive feedback from the video game. The brain responds to the challenge of the feedback and moves towards more adaptive and flexible functioning. During the course of repeated sessions, the neurofeedback practitioner makes changes in the settings of the game that define what patterns of brainwaves the biofeedback will train based on your report of shifts in symptoms, energy levels, and sleep patterns.
Neurofeedback training is a learning process and results occur over time. Improvement in many conditions can be seen in about ten sessions, though permanent change often takes longer. Initially sessions need to be regular and frequent with a minimum of two sessions a week. As the brain reregulates to healthy patterns of brainwave activity, the frequency of sessions can be reduced.
EEG Biofeedback and Medication
Neurofeedback can also be a powerful adjunct to psychotherapy and medication therapies. For some, as the brain calms the potential for personal growth is greatly expanded. Often as balance and regulation improves, trainees often can talk to their doctors about reducing or stopping some types of medications.
Learning More
You can learn more about EEG biofeedback by exploring our links web page or by reading our frequently asked questions page.