What is Neurofeedback and how can it help us?

Neurofeedback is a type of advanced technique that gradually trains the brain to self-regulate. and thus improves certain psychological problems such as anxiety, stress or insomnia. Furthermore, in many cases it allows us to enhance the performance of our cognitive processes to improve attention, memory and learning.

It is very possible that for many, just by saying the word “neurofeedback” they almost immediately visualize a person with various electrodes placed on their head about to receive a shock. It should be said that it has nothing to do with it. Neurofeedback is non-invasive, painless, no electricity is emitted nor does it base its effect on any type of medication.

It is limited to the use of sensors connected to a computer. A simple engineering that allows us to get an idea of ​​brain activity and its connectivity in a few seconds. Thanks to this amazing brain analysis software (or QEEG brain mapping) can be identified, for example, What areas have overstimulation? or which areas are not coordinating their activity with the synchronicity that we would expect.

It should be said that the neurofeedback technique is not new. It all started in the late 1950s and early 60s, with Joe Kamiya (PhD, University of Chicago) and Barry Sterman (PhD, University of California). Both worked on a project for NASA and trained numerous astronauts with the parameters of neurofeedback to improve the brain’s adaptation to the outside atmosphere. Later, used this same approach to reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy by up to 60%.

Currently, we can find more and more centers specialized in this type of therapy. It must be said, however, that this approach is not without criticism, however, An area in which very positive results are being achieved is in the treatment of attention deficit disorders with or without hyperactivity..

Let’s see more data below.

What is neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is not a cure, it is not like a drug capable of ending our anxiety or that can resolve by itself the consequences associated with the impact of a stroke. It is rather a method of managing or regulating brain patterns so that it functions in a healthier way..

Something like this is achieved through a minimum of 20 repetitive training sessions using a computerized neurofeedback program. This program teaches our central nervous system to reorganize and regulate brain wave frequencies.

To understand it much better, let’s look at an example.

I can’t sleep, I’ve tried everything: my quality of life has decreased

Sara has been suffering from serious sleeping problems for almost six months.. There has come a time when she can barely concentrate, when she no longer dares to take the car in the morning to go to work if he wants to and where, furthermore, he perceives that she is completely losing control of his emotions. .

Your doctor has recommended that you start with some neurofeedback sessions. To do this, some basic protocols will be followed: The first step is to perform a psychiatric evaluation, later a neurological test and finally a brain map or QEEG.When the specialists perform this last test thanks to the computer program, they discover that Sara’s brain is indeed on high alert.The areas involved in emotional reactivity and anxiety work three times as much as normal. It is discovered, therefore, that it is his underlying anxiety that consumes all the resources of his brain and that, therefore, he cannot fall asleep or focus his attention or have effective control over his emotions.

After this first diagnosis, the specialists draw up a specific neurofeedback training plan for Sara. Through the connection between the computer and the patient’s Central Nervous System, training will be carried out where, thanks to a series of images, sounds, phrases, music and other stimuli, a healthier, more relaxed and optimal pattern of brain activity will be created so that your quality of life is now what you need, what you deserve.

Nuerofeedback, meditation with high technology

It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t bother us, nothing is administered to us, nor do we experience any type of tingling… Neurofeedback can be compared to pleasant meditation sessions. where we are face to face in front of a mirror: the one that reflects the activity of our mind, of that fascinating entity, at times chaotic of which we do not always have full control.

It is enough to sit in front of these screens to learn to think differently, to allowing the flow of our brain waves to vary, thus creating a state of relaxation and deeper concentration, more skilled, more productive. There are those who will need more sessions, but there are many patients who, after a simple 30-minute session of alpha wave training, achieve greater cognitive performance by completely reducing the effect of the erratic mind.

So, Each person will need a different protocol depending on their personal situation and needs. In this way, neurofeedback is very useful in patients with depression, migraines, obsessive-compulsive disorders, insomnia, dependence on certain substances and especially in children with ADHD.

With sessions of just over 20 minutes or half an hour, once a week, many children have managed to improve their attention, concentration and working memory capacity. It must be said without a doubt that it is not the “panacea”, and that in many cases, such as depression or anxiety What neurofeedback achieves is to reduce the symptoms, but never the origin of the problem.

However, and as experts on the subject explain to us, this type of therapy is still in continuous development, and it is expected that in a short time and as the functioning of the brain is known in more depth, its effectiveness will improve much more. We will be attentive to these achievements.

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