Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that uses modern technology and scientific knowledge to help people control their brainwaves. It’s like exercise for your brain and can help with a variety of conditions, including anxiety, migraines, and chronic pain.
It works by analyzing and tracking your brain waves in real time to see how you respond to certain situations. During neurofeedback sessions, you can learn to alter the activity of your brain waves to improve your mood and focus.
There are a number of different types of neurofeedback, and the most common is EEG (electroencephalographic) neurofeedback. This is a relatively simple form of therapy EMDR and involves attaching sensors to the scalp that measure brainwaves. The sensor reads the electrical activity in your brain and sends it to a computer device that translates the numbers into a range of brainwave frequencies, such as Alpha, Beta, or Theta.
Then, the computer can show you how to change your brainwaves so that they are in the normal range. This can help you feel calmer, more focused, and less anxious.
It’s a very safe and effective way to treat anxiety, stress, ADHD, and other neurological disorders by training your brain to regulate its own brain waves. You can even use it to treat fibromyalgia, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome.
You’ll start by having your doctor order a specific protocol that will help your brain move to the normal range of brain waves so that you can feel calmer and more focused. Once you’ve gotten the protocol, you’ll meet with Dr. Fotuhi and our EEG technician, who will set you up for your first neurofeedback session.
Your session will last 20-30 minutes and is followed by feedback on your brainwaves in real time on a computer screen. The computer screen will become brighter when your brainwaves are in the normal range, and it’ll fade when they are too fast or too slow.
Most people who undergo neurofeedback report that they feel calmer and more focused after each session. They also report that they sleep better and have more energy during the day.
Some people experience side effects during a neurofeedback session, but they are usually short-lived and go away on their own after a few days. The most common ones are headaches, sleepiness, and mild anxiety.
The treatment is typically used in conjunction with other therapies for ADHD, such as medication or cognitive behavioral therapy. Several studies have shown that neurofeedback is nearly as effective as medication in treating the symptoms of ADHD.
It can reduce or eliminate impulsive hyperactivity, increase focus and concentration, and decrease parental disapproval of children’s behavior. In addition, it can also improve indicators of sustained attention such as standardized test scores and school grades.
A full course of neurofeedback can take between 20 and 40 sessions, usually twice or three times a week. You may start to see improvement after just 8-10 sessions, but it’s important to continue the treatment in order to achieve long-term results.