How Does it Work?
The brain must be able to move quickly and easily between all states, including hyper- focus, excitement and relaxation. When the brain is stuck in unhealthy patterns of activity it loses its ability to move easily between states or to maintain a state when required. Self-regulation is the ability to appropriately move between brain states in response to internal and external environmental factors. Neurofeedback exercises the neural networks in the brain and creates new connections, so when you need to focus you won’t be distracted, but when you need to stop thinking, you can do that as well.

The actual training session for the client consists of reclining in a comfortable chair, watching a variety of visuals on a monitor and listening to selected music. The audio and visual feedback is specifically engineered to inform the client’s brain how to regulate itself for optimal health and efficiency. Interruptions in the music serve as the reinforcement that prompts the conditioning of the brain waves to normalize.

Why it Works
The basis unit of communication in the nervous system is the neuron. It can be detected from the brain and from various muscle systems throughout the body. Measurements are recorded in micro volts (amplitude) and cycles per second (frequency). Brain waves are formed by a dual action – a push-pull process which creates EEG rhythmic activity. Two sensors placed on the scalp can pick up a portion of this rhythmic activity. The electroencephalograph (EEG) is a graphical representation of your brain activities.

Through operant conditioning, (interruption of the music) it gives the trainee the opportunity to gradually control unconscious or involuntary physiological processes. Thus, when the micro volts of the brain waves are surging inappropriately or in a state of instability, the music is interrupted. The brain instantaneously interprets this as a signal to diminish its present state of turbulence and return to homeostasis. As this process is repeated over time, the CNS (central nervous system) stabilizes. Neurofeedback training often reduces or eliminates the need for psychotropic medications as you begin to self-regulate your own EEG patterns.