
	what is neurofeedback? "Biofeedback means getting immediate ongoing information about one's own biological processes or conditions, such as heart behavior, temperature, brain-wave activity, blood pressure, or muscle tension. Information is usually fed back by a meter, by a light or sound, or subjects simply watch the physiological record as it emerges from the monitoring equipment. Biofeedback training means using the information to change and control voluntarily the specific process or response being monitored." Elmer Green, Beyond Biofeedback Neurofeedback ( often called EEG biofeedback ) is an effective tool that allows us to train the brain to function to its optimum potential It is like a piece of equipment you would use in the gym to exercise your body. Think of it as a personal training system for the brain. Through analysis of the brainwave frequencies seen in real time on a computer screen Neurofeedback reveals the picture of your mental state like a mirror. Different parts of the brain, with their specific brainwave frequencies, are responsible for different emotional and analytical processes. For example, just as we experience increase in heartbeat in times of stress, increase in high brainwave frequencies also occurs. In the same way our heart has a beat, our brains produce brainwaves that rise and fall in various patterns, The software on the neurofeedback equipment is set to reinforce the brainwave that is required for the given goal, eg, reducing high beta for anxiety. Each time the rhythm of high beta naturally falls, a sound is played in real time, relaxation is then enhanced and your brain learns how to enter a more relaxed state. Neurofeedback training can be compared to going to the gym if you exercise two or three times a week, you become fitter. If you practice an instrument everyday, your playing improves. Neurofeedback training is about learning and replacing an old habits with new more positive ones. Neurofeedback and meditation have been shown to help with a wide variety of disorders as well as improving brain function and physical and mental well-being. It can bring about: improved concentration and focus lessened anxiety and depression lowered blood pressure reduced stress increased creativity reduced anger lessened addictive disorders such as alcoholism lowered OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) reduced obsessive thinking stabilised appetite reduced symptoms of PMT (pre-menstrual tension) lessened ADD/ADHD in children and adults PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) Neurofeedback is the perfect compliment to other therapies such as counseling. In fact, neurofeedback therapy can speed up the healing process. "Occassionally I had heard half-joking remarks about researchers in biofeedback sounding like snake-oil salesmen. It didn't bother me until one of our own doctors cautioned against the concept of biofeedback as a panacea. Then I gave it serious thought. Why did biofeedback prove helpful in the treatment of so many and varied disorders? Suddenly I realized that it isn't biofeedback that is the 'panacea'--it is the power within the human being to self-regulate, self-heal, re-balance. Biofeedback does nothing to the person; it is a tool for releasing that potential." Alyce Green, Beyond Biofeedback In short, we can learn how to calm down or speed up our brainwaves depending on what our needs are. We are essentially teaching our brains how to become more efficient, resetting our brains habits, and moving it from one set point to another, meaning that changes tend to last.

what is neurofeedback?

"Biofeedback means getting immediate ongoing information about one's own biological processes or conditions, such as heart behavior, temperature, brain-wave activity, blood pressure, or muscle tension. Information is usually fed back by a meter, by a light or sound, or subjects simply watch the physiological record as it emerges from the monitoring equipment. Biofeedback training means using the information to change and control voluntarily the specific process or response being monitored."

Elmer Green, Beyond Biofeedback

Neurofeedback ( often called EEG biofeedback ) is an effective tool that allows us to train the brain to function to its optimum potential It is like a piece of equipment you would use in the gym to exercise your body. Think of it as a personal training system for the brain.

Through analysis of the brainwave frequencies seen in real time on a computer screen Neurofeedback reveals the picture of your mental state like a mirror. Different parts of the brain, with their specific brainwave frequencies, are responsible for different emotional and analytical processes.

For example, just as we experience increase in heartbeat in times of stress, increase in high brainwave frequencies also occurs.

In the same way our heart has a beat, our brains produce brainwaves that rise and fall in various patterns, The software on the neurofeedback equipment is set to reinforce the brainwave that is required for the given goal, eg, reducing high beta for anxiety. Each time the rhythm of high beta naturally falls, a sound is played in real time, relaxation is then enhanced and your brain learns how to enter a more relaxed state.

Neurofeedback training can be compared to going to the gym if you exercise two or three times a week, you become fitter. If you practice an instrument everyday, your playing improves. Neurofeedback training is about learning and replacing an old habits with new more positive ones.

Neurofeedback and meditation have been shown to help with a wide variety of disorders as well as improving brain function and physical and mental well-being. It can bring about:

improved concentration and focus

lessened anxiety and depression
lowered blood pressure
reduced stress
increased creativity
reduced anger
lessened addictive disorders such as alcoholism
lowered OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
reduced obsessive thinking
stabilised appetite
reduced symptoms of PMT (pre-menstrual tension)
lessened ADD/ADHD in children and adults
PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)

Neurofeedback is the perfect compliment to other therapies such as counseling. In fact, neurofeedback therapy can speed up the healing process.

"Occassionally I had heard half-joking remarks about researchers in biofeedback sounding like snake-oil salesmen. It didn't bother me until one of our own doctors cautioned against the concept of biofeedback as a panacea. Then I gave it serious thought. Why did biofeedback prove helpful in the treatment of so many and varied disorders? Suddenly I realized that it isn't biofeedback that is the 'panacea'--it is the power within the human being to self-regulate, self-heal, re-balance. Biofeedback does nothing to the person; it is a tool for releasing that potential."

Alyce Green, Beyond Biofeedback

In short, we can learn how to calm down or speed up our brainwaves depending on what our needs are. We are essentially teaching our brains how to become more efficient, resetting our brains habits, and moving it from one set point to another, meaning that changes tend to last.

Elmer Green, Beyond Biofeedback