What Is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback teaches the brain to be flexible and function in the way that matches what is required at any given time: relaxation when it’s time to relax, alertness when it’s required to be alert, or sleep when it’s time to sleep.

Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, state-of-the-art technique for stabilizing brain functions. Computer feedback enables the clientto increase brainwaves related to enhanced attention and ease of being and to lessen brainwaves that are associated with anger, agitation, disturbed sleep and addictive behaviors. It requires no effort from the learner and almost anyone can be successful in altering their brainwaves and associated behavior.

Many people remain stuck in habitual patterns. For instance, some people don’t know how to calm down, while others have trouble getting motivated. For people who are keyed up and overstimulated, neurofeedback is used to achieve more relaxation and a sense of ease. For those who are depressed or easily fatigued, it can lead to higher levels of alertness and energy. Those who are easily distracted can learn to sustain attention.

Research shows that there is a direct correlation between brainwave activity and a person’s state of arousal, alertness, stability and flexibility. Stress, psychological trauma or substance abuse can force the brain into deregulation. But the brain has an enormous capacity to recover. It has the ability to re-regulate itself.

Over the past thirty years during which neurofeedback has developed, considerable research has been carried out and results show that it is now possible to assess how certain portions of brain functioning are related to patterns of thought, emotions and behaviors. Disfunctional brain wave patterns can be replaced with better functioning patterns. Through neurofeedback, the brain is provided the opportunity to adjust itself.

Neurofeedback helps the brain become better regulated through activating specific regions of the brain. Using computerized feedback, the brain learns to increase or decrease certain brainwaves that are helpful for improved functioning. Over time, the brain becomes “healthier” and better regulated. For example if someone has excessive amounts of certain EEG frequencies in the frontal lobes, they may experience depression or obsessive compulsive behavior. By training the brain to reduce slower brainwaves and increase faster brainwave activity, symptoms can be reduced.

Neurofeedback training improves activation, inhibition and cortical stability through affecting regulatory mechanisms such as thalamocortical connections to subcortical brain structures. Such functions are essential to brain regulation and flexibility.

Neurofeedback is non-invasive. Electricity is not sent to the brain. The learner merely uses a computer to receive information about how his or her brain is functioning moment to moment by watching a video game. Using feedback from the computer game, the brain effortlessly learns to improve at the game by increasing the optimal brain waves for healthy functioning.