By: Asha Dukkipati
Neurofeedback is a form of therapy that improves brain chemistry by treating a range of psychological symptoms, learning difficulties, and injury-related trauma. This alternative treatment aims to retrain the brain by developing new skills or improving cognitive functions. It rewires the neurons in our brain cells that are a part of the nervous system that transmit information. Neurofeedback is a form of neuroplastic change. Neuroplasty is the neural networks within the brain being able to adapt to their environment by changing their connections and cognitive functions when being exposed to new information. This form of therapy can be conducted through brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation or audio-visual entertainment.
In a neurofeedback session, electrodes are placed on the patient's head to record their brain waves using a QEEG. This device stands for Quantitative Electroencephalogram, which is also commonly referred to as the brain map. When the brain waves are being monitored, the patient is given a form of entertainment to focus on, such as watching a movie. If the patient demonstrates normal brain waves, they are rewarded with a clear image, but if they show signs of an abnormal brain wave, the image becomes distorted, or the audio reduces. Based on this reward system, the neurons can determine how to perform more normal wave functions versus abnormal ones, reducing symptoms from differences such as ADD, ADHD, autism, and anxiety. The data collected from the QEEG is uploaded into a different database to compare the results to individuals in the same age range as the patient who don't possess the same chemical imbalance. However, this form of Neurotherapy is conducted in a professional setting. For example, the process described above is the procedure at the Neurotherapy Center of Dallas.
Benefits of Neurotherapy
Reduce stress and manage anxiety levels
Improves mood and emotional resistance
Increases attention, focus, and mental clarity
Develops cognitive functions
Boosts motivation and energy
Types of Brain Stimulation Based on Neurotherapy
Trans-Cranial Direct Current Stimulation: is where two or more electrodes are placed on the scalp to allow electrical currents to flow to the patient's brain for stimulation. The practitioner can place the electrodes on various areas based on what neurons need to be corrected. The practitioner can also increase or decrease the intensity of the electrodes based on the patient's response to the therapy. This technology is low-cost and shows a lot of promise.
Audio-Visual Entrainment: also known as audio-visual stimulation, is a treatment using light and sound to alter brain functions and rewire your brain's neurons. During the process, the patient's brain waves follow the rhythm of the stimulation, alternating the patient's brain patterns, increasing cerebral blood flow, and metabolizing glucose, allowing for a change in the brain's neurons. This treatment can help boost a patient's mood, sleep, and focus and reduce their stress. This form of therapy is an inexpensive alternative to help with differences such as ADHD, PTSD, and SAD.
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation: Similar to transcranial stimulation, this treatment uses electrodes, but instead, they are attached to your earlobes versus your brain, and the electric current is pulsing versus constant during the process. A product that uses this method is the Alph Stem, which has proven to support anxiety, depression, migraines, and insomnia.
Bibliography
FAQs. Neurotherapy Dallas. (n.d.). https://www.neurotherapydallas.com/faqs
Home - alpha-stim. Alpha. (2023, June 6). https://www.alpha-stim.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAmrOBBhA0EiwArn3mfNDSTpBW9v7x_HRZFTcF8Y80DTSgt5AnjY73NyjRFqxsvbf6svlDdRoCXmcQAvD_BwE
Mind alive inc - audio-visual entrainment (AVE). Mind Alive Inc. (n.d.). https://mindalive.com/pages/audio-visual-entrainment-ave
Neurotherapy: Treating disorders by retraining the brain. IEEE Brain. (n.d.). https://brain.ieee.org/topics/neurotherapy-treating-disorders-by-retraining-the-brain/
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