Neurofeedback: The Treatment That Can Retrain Your Brain
Lifestyle changes can have an enormous impact on brain and mental health. And indeed, suitable supplements and medications may be of use, too. However, did you know that a pain-free, drug-free treatment has shown great promise in improving the symptoms of a broad range of mental health conditions? Today, we’re delving into neurofeedback, giving you the facts on what it is, what it does, and the research behind it.
What is neurofeedback and what does it involve?
Sometimes referred to as EEG or electroencephalogram biofeedback, neurofeedback involves real-time monitoring of a patient’s brainwaves using sensors placed on the scalp. It is performed in order to glean information regarding how the brain is functioning. As a consequence, it can aid patients in forming new and more helpful patterns. Neurofeedback utilizes the brain’s neuroplastic abilities.
The clinician will measure and interpret the activity of five sensorimotor rhythms: alpha, beta, delta, theta, and gamma waves. (Check out our post on binaural beats for an in-depth explanation of the five brain wave types and what they mean.) Individuals undergoing neurofeedback treatment will receive instant responses on their specific brainwave patterns which they can use to help modify their brain activity. Sessions will commonly last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.
The treatment will be guided and engaging, encouraging the brain to produce more of the waves that benefit a specific mental health condition, and less of the ones that exacerbate it. For example, the participant will often be shown a movie, TV program or video game that acts as a reward for positive brainwave activity, signaling the brain to make adjustments and gradually retrain its current configuration.
Who can it help?
Research has revealed exciting evidence to support the use of neurofeedback to treat a wide range of issues, including:
Will it work for me?
Neurofeedback is a highly individualized treatment, and, as such, results can vary significantly from person to person. Whilst there has been a good deal of investigation into this type of biofeedback, it is still very much an ongoing topic of discussion. Seeing as though it is also a patient-led treatment, outcomes can be tightly linked to an individual’s ability to master the art of effectively self-regulating.
What does the future hold?
It’s thought that, over time, neurofeedback has the potential to play a pivotal role in mental health interventions, providing new levels of agency and personal empowerment to those seeking to find relief from a variety of disorders. The practice is also increasingly being utilized as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment plan. For instance, it can be used alongside lifestyle changes and therapies such as CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy to provide a wide-reaching approach to a complex mental health issue.