There are many ways to change a human mind, whether it’s training your dog, raising a child or teaching someone new skills. Unlike dogs or babies, humans can control how much they pay attention and how they focus on specific things. Numerous methods of changing our minds involve training the mind to focus on things that help us learn and be successful in life. This article will discuss Neurofeedback Training, which is a process that changes focus by training the brain to change its own electrical patterns.
Neurofeedback training is used to help with a variety of conditions, but it is most well known for its ability to treat attention deficit disorder and anxiety. The procedure has been used by a variety of medical professionals, with children as young as two receiving treatment. The training process requires the use of sensors to help the individual control their brain waves. For people that have trouble focusing, the process creates electrodes that can be placed in different locations on their scalps. These electrodes track their brain activity and are used by the trainer to send messages to their brains through tones and images that are displayed on computer screens.
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback or Neurotherapy, is a process by which you can learn to regulate your own brain waves. When you do this, you are able to change the way your brain functions and use it more effectively to become more focused, relaxed, and productive.
Neurofeedback training is used by people with ADD/ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and other learning disabilities. It has also proven helpful for those who have experienced traumatic events in the past.
In addition to improving symptoms of these conditions, neurofeedback training can help improve sleep quality, focus during work tasks, and relationships with others.
This treatment is non-invasive and does not require any harmful medications or chemicals to participate in sessions. The only requirement for treatment is that patients be willing to commit time each week for about 6 weeks for 30 minutes at a time for one-hour sessions over an average period of 3 months, depending on the severity of the condition.
The Origins of Neurofeedback
The origins of neurofeedback can be traced back to the 1950s, when researchers realized that there were some similarities between electrical signals in the brain and those of machines.
In the 1960s and ’70s, researchers began to experiment with using feedback to modify brain signals. The first studies showed that this was possible—that by giving feedback to a person’s brainwaves, they could change their behavior.
In the 1980s, researchers began using neurofeedback to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In 1992, the FDA approved neurofeedback as a treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Since then, it has been used as a treatment for other conditions, including addiction, mood disorders, migraines, sleep disorders, and more.
How Neurofeedback Can Benefit You
Neurofeedback, or EEG Biofeedback, is a technique that uses real-time feedback from the brain to help people learn how to regulate their own brain activity.
There are many different types of neurofeedback, but this article will focus on one particular type: alpha/theta training. In this method, an EEG sensor is placed on the scalp and measures the brain’s electrical activity. The person then receives visual and auditory feedback through a video game-like program that teaches them how to produce desired levels of alpha or theta waves in their brains.
These types of changes can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including:
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Improving focus and attention span
- Improving sleep quality and moods (especially during stressful periods)
How Is Neurofeedback Administered
Neurofeedback is administered by a trained professional who uses a tool called an electroencephalogram (EEG) to monitor your brain waves. The EEG provides information on the electrical activity of the brain, including voltage, frequency, and amplitude. The EEG machine monitors the amount of alpha and beta wave activity in your brain.
A neurofeedback session involves several components. First, the professional will conduct a baseline assessment of your brain waves. This can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and involves placing electrodes on your scalp so that the machine can monitor your brain activity as you perform certain tasks, like focusing on an object or listening to music.
Next, you’ll be guided through a series of exercises that help you learn how to change your own mind-body state. For example, if you’re feeling anxious about something, this might involve focusing on your breath or listening to relaxing music while the EEG monitors your brain waves.
The professional will then use this information from their assessment and monitor it throughout each session so that they can help guide you through making changes in how you feel physically and mentally during those exercises.
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