Most people have heard of the term meditation, and many people know of its benefits for relaxation, focus and overall well-being. There are also benefits of meditation induced modalities like yoga in terms of stress reduction and relaxation. Neurofeedback is a type of meditation, but it is backed by science and has been shown to be an effective treatment for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and more.
Neurofeedback, like other types of meditation, improves the efficiency of your brain and makes it less reactive to stress. However, it takes far less time than traditional meditation techniques. A meditation practice can be challenging, especially if you are attempting to achieve one without a lot of experience. Normally it takes some time before noticing the benefit from the practice of meditation. It takes even longer to master the practice of a calm mind.
Neurofeedback is a great way to balance and calm the mind without having to put in the years of practice. In as little as 10-12 sessions, many people report feeling calmer and more focused. They are able to sleep better and have an increased ability to deal with stress. One of the best things about neurofeedback is that the changes are long lasting. Because you are training your brain to be more efficient, the changes will stay with you even after you stop neurofeedback sessions.
1. What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy, is a type of biofeedback that uses real-time displays of brain activity to give feedback to the patient about their brain. The goal of neurofeedback is to help the brain self-regulate in order to improve conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain and more.
2. Who can benefit from neurofeedback training sessions?
In short, anyone with a brain. Did you know the brain has virtually no system to monitor itself? It can only use the information collected from our surroundings to make decisions. This can often lead to impulsive and irrational decisions, as well as symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, depression and so on. However, with neurofeedback, the brain is able to receive feedback about its own activity. In other words, it can learn to monitor and regulate itself!
3. How Does Neurofeedback Work?
Neurofeedback works by training the brain about what it’s doing to be more efficient. The procedure begins with sensors being placed on the scalp, which record brain activity and can be viewed on a screen. This information is then “fed” back to the patient with real time visuals and sound. The experience is immersive with a big screen and surround sound system used to give feedback. You’ll enjoy soothing music as well as colorful visuals. As the brain learns about itself, it begins to self-regulate and change. Without awareness of what it’s doing, the brain is left to execute from the instruction and programming one received as a child (while in the theta-brain state). This is what makes the process of neurofeedback so transformative. This can be a game changer especially to those with hereditary issues. It can also help those who have experienced traumas in their lives that have left them feeling “stuck”.
4. What conditions can neurofeedback help improve?
Neurofeedback has been shown to be effective for a variety of conditions, including:
ADD/ADHD
Anxiety
Autism
Chronic pain
Depression
Headaches
Insomnia
Memory problems
Migraines
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Stress
Tinnitus
5. What does it feel like?
Clients frequently tell us how relaxed they feel after a session. Some say it’s like daydreaming, or being in a meditative state. You may be aware of your surroundings, but you are not focused on them. You may also notice your body feeling heavy or light, or tingling sensations. These are all normal reactions to neurofeedback.
6. What if I fall asleep during the session?
Falling asleep during a neurofeedback session is actually a good thing! It means that your brain is in a very relaxed state and is receptive to the training.
7. Are there any side effects associated with neurofeedback therapy sessions?
There are many different types of neurofeedback available, but all essentially work by providing feedback to the brain about its activity level. This feedback can come in the form of sound, light, or even subtle electrical stimulation. The purpose is to help the brain learn to self-regulate its activity in a more efficient way.
One of the major benefits of neurofeedback is that it is non-invasive and has virtually no side effects. Very few people (who have experience head trauma) may experience a mild headache or dizziness after a session, but this is usually temporary and goes away quickly. It is important to consult with a trained neurofeedback practitioner to ensure that you are receiving the best possible care. We highly recommend using dynamical neurofeedback as it is the most effective and side-effect free method available. Additionally, it’s a good idea to make sure the neurofeedback system being used is well researched and registered by the FDA.
8. How often should I attend neurofeedback training sessions for optimal results?
Since every brain and everyone’s experiences are different, the number of sessions necessary for each individual varies. That being said, most people see optimal results after attending 10-12 neurofeedback sessions. These sessions are usually scheduled 1-2 times per week for best results.
9. How much does neurofeedback therapy cost?
At Pelios Academy it’s our goal to make neurofeedback sessions as affordable as possible. While the national average price per session is $80-$120, our pricing is frequently 70% less than national averages. We believe that everyone should have access to this life-changing therapy!
Pelios Academy offers a variety of neurofeedback therapy packages to fit your needs and budget. We also offer financing options to make payments more affordable. To learn more about pricing and financing, please contact us.
10. What can I expect during and after neurofeedback training sessions?
During neurofeedback training sessions, you can expect to feel relaxed and comfortable as you recline in a chair for about 30 minutes. You will be able to see and hear feedback about your brain activity in real time, and over the course of the sessions, you should notice an improvement in focus, concentration, mood and overall well-being. After neurofeedback sessions, you may feel more relaxed and clear-headed, and many people report improved sleep quality as well.
11. What is the difference between neurofeedback and biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a general term that refers to any feedback about the body’s physiological functions. This can include heart rate, skin temperature, blood pressure, etc. Neurofeedback specifically refers to feedback about brain activity.
12. Is neurofeedback a new scientific treatment?
Neurofeedback originated in the late 1950s and early ’60s by Dr Joe Kamiya of the University of Chicago, as well as Dr Barry Sterman of UCLA. With their amazing discoveries, neurofeedback was implemented into the NASA training program. Neurofeedback carried popularity into the ’70s as a meditation or spiritual practice. Because of the extreme bias at that time it became an undesirable research option for career-oriented scientists.
People questioned if neurofeedback was simply a placebo effect, or worse. While the clinical evidence showed that it worked, it could not possibly work under the prevailing scientific theories of the time. As a result, neurofeedback fell into disfavor among physicians.
A window of opportunity opened for neurofeedback for individuals who could not take medication (due to reactions, pregnancy, etc) for attention deficit disorder (ADD). Neurofeedback was used to treat ADD by the late 1980s, and then began being applied to a variety of psychological & central nervous system-based ailments.
The 21st century medical understanding of the brain evolved dramatically, and neuroplasticity principles became widely accepted. The integration of neuroscience and immunology has led to a new paradigm in which the relationship between the brain, the immune system, emotional well-being, physical health, and mental health is well recognized.
Neurofeedback is still largely foreign to most medical practitioners. Many people have formed opinions based on its past reputation in the ’70s and have little to no exposure to the research. Ironically, in an article focused on brain plasticity, one must acknowledge that old views die hard. Even if the fundamentals of a system are comprehensively documented, current views on competing techniques that lie outside their area of knowledge tend to endure.
Today neurofeedback practitioners benefit from the development of precise tools owing to advances in computer software and brainwave monitoring equipment. Neurotherapies have matured into highly sophisticated and powerful techniques with decades of independent study and development. In terms of brain care, neurofeedback has a half-century lead over conventional medicine.
Our mission is to educate the medical community and general public about the advantages of neurofeedback which has broadened the scope of what we can do to help heal the brain and person as a whole.
13. How is neurofeedback different from medication?
Unlike medication, which attempts to mask or treat symptoms by changing the way the body functions, neurofeedback directly helps the brain to learn how to function more optimally. This results in long-lasting changes that can help to improve or even eliminate symptoms. Neurofeedback is also non-invasive and has virtually no side effects, whereas medication often comes with a host of potential side effects.
14. How is neurofeedback different from other types of therapy?
Other types of therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can be effective in treating conditions like anxiety and depression. We fully support and encourage the marriage of CBT with neurofeedback as they compliment one another well. However, CBT on it’s own can take some time to see results (months or even years), and often requires a lot of effort on the part of the patient. Neurofeedback is unique in that it is a relatively short-term treatment (10-12 sessions) that can produce long-lasting results. It is also non-invasive and does not require any effort on the part of the patient beyond attending the sessions.
15. How do I find a qualified neurofeedback practitioner?
There are a few different ways to find a qualified neurofeedback practitioner. You can ask your doctor for a referral, look for a practitioner who is certified by the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR), or search for a practitioner in your area on the neurofeedback provider directory. Pelios Academy prides itself on having some of the most qualified and experienced neurofeedback practitioners in the field. Schedule a session today!
