What If We Can Rewire Our Brains To Work More Efficiently?

Imagine if it was possible to rewire our brains so that we could fix many health issues that come due to misfiring in the brain. Health issues such as Alzheimer’s, chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, and other mental health disorders. Could this be a miracle cure?

How Does it Work?

So how can we rewire our brains? With the use of neurofeedback. Also known as electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback, it is an intervention that will give immediate results to a computer that assesses brainwave activity. By understanding how the brainwaves are working it is possible to retrain them to work at optimum times and to regulate them to help symptoms.

During a session sensor are attached to the scalp. While the sensors are attached information is being relayed to an EEG computer program that can process the information provided. The brainwave frequencies are recorded while the patient is viewing graphics or listening to music. The program is then able to disrupt the frequencies and change them to controlled patterns. As sessions continue there will be changes in mental clarity, sleep, and stress patterns.

How Long Does It Take?

Neurofeedback is not instantaneous. It takes time and dedication for the process to work. Typically, it will consist of weekly sessions for 20 weeks. For some this may be shorter or longer span of time and sessions. Changes will be noticeable after several sessions, but the true changes will not occur until further into treatment.

Are There Side Effects?

Using the term side effect is not quite accurate since nothing is being placed into the body as is true for medications. Neurofeedback therapy is similar to physical therapy for the brain. In theory a therapy session is an extreme workout, so the most common reported effect is fatigue. Every brain will show the effects differently. The fatigue is similar to mental tiring after learning a new or complex skill. Or even comparable to exhaustion that is felt when using non-fluent skills.

The effects to keep an eye on is for those who suffer from more severe or serious mental health conditions. There are some who report an increase in the presence of the emotions or reactions that are in the process of being rewired. This reaction will usually fade quickly and for good as therapy progresses. It is comparable to visiting a gym and having an old high school injury act up, it’ll hurt and then go away.

Reports or vivid dreams have also been recorded during the use of neurofeedback therapy. As the brain becomes more balanced this will also pass. Sensitivities to people who have suffered from trauma or head injuries are more sensitive to the brain getting more regulated. People have reported dizziness and nausea as their brain is getting back to a more balanced place.

During sessions the brain is being monitored closely to avoid getting overtired or overworked during sessions. Training is adjusted as needed and no concerns should be had about possible effects. They are short lived and for most non-existent.

How Long Do Results Last?

Neurofeedback is giving a patient a new skill and retraining the brain. Results, after completing therapy, are long lasting and will not disappear in the majority of people. There are some instances where this is not true. That is with individuals who are in physically or psychologically unsafe environments and those who have degenerative conditions. Skills gained in the original therapy will then need some new skill building in the future for those individuals. However, the vast majority complete their sessions and the rewiring is essentially permanent.

Are There Studies Backing Neurofeedback Training?

Yes, there are have been several studies that look at neurofeedback training to bring balance back to the brain. The most recent study was completed by D’Or Institute for Research and Education. This study was published in Neurolmage. It was found in this study that with less than an hour of neurofeedback therapy neuron pathways could better communicate and have stronger connections. Though completed on healthy individuals, it shows promising results for bringing balance back to the brain of unhealthy individuals.

Using a double-blind study on neurofeedback it was found that reinforcement of motor execution-related brain patterns could be bettered at the brain pattern level. With less than an hour of training, there are already positive changes occurring in the white matter. The effects of motor imagery neurofeedback spreads well beyond sensorimotor networks. With this knowledge it is shows how much can occur at the brainwave level and how many situations can be altered with the proper therapies.

Finding A Neurofeedback Therapist

Finding a licensed professional that is trained to use neurofeedback programs and equipment is important for success. It is also critical to find a therapist or professional that understands the disorder that is needing treatment and makes the patient feel comfortable. The professional should be able to explain the process to the patient and their loved ones if necessary. Explaining all the limitations and the potential benefits that may occur.

Brain Training Tips for Success

Brain training can seem like a magic fix for some people. Just hook up to a special machine that is connected to special programs and you are magically fixed. It is not that simple. There are changes that must occur with the brain training. Lifestyle changes and internal changes. Though it would be nice to have a magic quick fix that requires no work, this is not that and that probably will never exist.

Attitude Change

To be successful with treatment the person needs to be ready for change. They need to understand what they are wanting to fix about their self. This is an important step for therapy to be successful. If someone grows tired of being consistently sad or always worrying, then they are already on step one of being prepared for brain training therapy. If someone is not ready for change, then the progress will not be as quick. That type of person also sees their emotional issues as their reason for things happening or not happening to them. Be ready to accept becoming a calm, balanced person who wants mental clarity. If even it is not a thought that is truly believed it is possible to reinforce it by speaking it.

Mindful Breathing Exercises

During neurofeedback sessions the mind can try to wander. Part of this is due to anxiety. Being mindful of thoughts and being able to bring attention back to breathing will allow sessions to progress better. Mindful breathing is simply taking slow, controlled breaths and keeping all focus on breathing. Breathing like this not only will help during sessions, but it can be used in day to day functions. Getting the brain to shift to a deep breath and focus on breathing will lower stress responses and aid with relaxation. It is recommended to do this several times a day to help re-regulate and boost neurofeedback training.

Thought Replacement

Mindful breathing leads to taking thoughts away from worry and takes a person out of a current situation. This also will aid in replacing thoughts. Thoughts are powerful and can form an unhealthy feedback loop and reactions. To get out of this pattern people must change their thought patterns. Consciously replacing thoughts will take time, but the benefits will aid neurofeedback therapy and life.

To move from future thoughts that are causing worry it is recommended to move thoughts to present moment. This can be done by focusing on the major senses and listing them off. For example, you could say, “In this moment I am typing on my computer. I can hear my co-workers on the phone. Breathing is shallow and I am beginning to feel hungry.” Thoughts based on the future are often based on anxiety. Present thoughts keep the brain focused and show it that there is no reason for fight or flight. It will essentially cut out the mind vs. brain negative feedback loop.

Rewiring the brain alone should not be looked at as a quick and easy fix. It should go hand in hand with other behavioral and thought process changes. By combining all the different mental and life changes with the neurofeedback therapy it is possible to gain a happier and healthier life. Being able to complete modifications for life changes is what helps to have a permanent brain rewiring.