Neurofeedback Therapy Side Effects

What are the Side Effects of Neurofeedback Therapy?

If you have a condition that you believe could improve through the use of neurofeedback therapy, you are probably doing research before consulting your doctor. How effective is it? How safe is it? What are the side effects?

 According to a study jointly published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, the National Library of Medicine, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information, there are no side effects associated with neurofeedback therapy. You can read the results for yourself here. Though the study was focused on treatment for just one disorder – attention deficit disorder (ADD) – the results clearly state that there are no neurofeedback therapy side effects.

 In fact, the primary technology used in neurofeedback therapy has been used safely for over a century. It's called electroencephalography (EEG) and essentially consists of affixing electrodes to an individual’s scalp in order to read electrical information in their brain. The only "side effects" of EEG are really "after effects," and they consist of a little bit of redness – never any pain – from where the electrodes attach to the skin. The redness wears off after a very short time, after which no one would ever know the electrodes were there.

 Compare this to the side effects of stimulants, which increase the heart rate, exacerbate anxiety and causes drastic appetite loss. Or the side effects of some antidepressants, which cause sexual problems, loss of enthusiasm and motivation, and in some cases, worsen the very conditions they are trying to improve. There are many side effects that accompany the powerful psychotropic drugs used to treat the same disorders as neurofeedback. When you compare those side effects to twelve weeks of behavioral therapy with harmless, painless electrodes attached to your scalp, it becomes pretty clear as to which is the more desirable.

 In neurofeedback, the EEG is used to monitor brain waves that are disrupted by disorders like anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and other maladies of the brain's executive function. This information is then transmitted to a screen, where the patient can see visual representations of their neurological activity and through this therapy can then learn to perform actions that restore brain waves to healthy, functional patterns. It is a form of training, rather than a medication or an invasive procedure, and for some people it is just as effective as a pharmacological treatment. 

Neurofeedback is so safe that it has been overwhelmingly approved for use in children. So there you have it – there are no neurofeedback therapy side effects. If you think neurofeedback would be an effective treatment for your condition, talk to your doctor today – you have nothing to worry about!

MORE ABOUT NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY

How does Neurofeedback Work?

Neurofeedback is a method that directly trains brain function. The brain’s activity is measured using precision sensors, generally the electroencephalogram (EEG), and the information recorded by the device is shown to the person undergoing neurofeedback. It is a gradual learning process, during which people become trained to control the processes of their own brain. Neurofeedback primarily addresses dysregulated brainwaves which encompass a number of neurological disorders such as: anxiety, depression, ADD, ADHD, insomnia, migraines, and chronic pain – just to name a few.  

So how does neurofeedback work? In a way, neurofeedback involves the concept of “mind over matter,” with the matter being the physical brain and its processes. This kind of self-regulation can be applied to help the nervous system function better.

How is Neurofeedback Carried Out?

During neurofeedback sessions, an electroencephalogram (EEG) is used. Electrodes are attached to the scalp, and function as sensors that detect electrical activity in the brain. The oscillations of this activity are shown to the patient, and providers explain what the frequencies mean and which ones are desirable or undesirable.

Neurofeedback training is often undertaken using a “video game” that responds to certain brainwave frequencies, specific to the individual and their particular condition. These “games” involve activities like moving a ball or a mouse up and down, which helps guide the individual’s brain toward optimal performance. As these capabilities are learned, they are reinforced through repetition.

Who Performs Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback Therapy is generally provided by psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and other mental health professionals. It is also sometimes done by clinical social workers, nurses, and educators.

How Well Does Neurofeedback Work?

The human brain is designed for learning and skill acquisition, and neurofeedback has proven highly effective in teaching people to learn to improve their brain function. Many patients find that the results exceed their expectations, and are amazed at just how effective it actually is.

Neurofeedback is proven to be most effective for disorders that are rooted in brain regulation including:

·         Anxiety

·         Depression

·         ADD/ADHD

·         Addiction

·         Memory loss

 Neurofeedback has also been found to be effective in treating some sleep disorders such as: bed wetting, night terrors, and sleepwalking. Additionally, neurofeedback researchers investigating its use in other, more serious and intractable disorders, including seizures and Autism Spectrum disorders.

Neurofeedback Therapy 

Is EEG Biofeedback the Same as Neurofeedback?

Defining EEG Biofeedback 

As new and innovative medical treatments have gained notoriety over the last few years, many people have been confused about the distinction between EEG biofeedback and neurofeedback. Today we will put that misunderstanding to rest and then explain the treatment and how it works in depth. First off, there is no difference: EEG biofeedback and neurofeedback are different terms for an identical therapy. This is a pain-free and noninvasive procedure that delivers long-term results without the risk of any side effects – and no, it’s not too good to be true.

The concept behind EEG biofeedback is this: the human body is an amazing machine of functionality, and it wants to perform flawlessly. Having said this, things happen that can throw off our various body systems, and the brain is no exception. Where a normal brainwave pattern accomplishes its goals efficiently and without issue, when our brainwave patterns get off kilter, problems such as neurological disorders ensue. EEG biofeedback works to normalize these patterns, and to teach your body how to keep them normal for good. 

What Can Be Treated? 

EEG biofeedback has already been proven effective against an amazingly wide array of neurological disorders, including:

·         Anxiety

·         Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

·         Autism

·         Chronic Pain

·         Fibromyalgia

·         Insomnia

·         Memory Loss

·         Migraines/Tension Headaches

·         Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

·         Seizures

Embrace the Future of Medicine 

EEG biofeedback got its name because it relies on electrical signals delivered from your brain called EEG’s. Prior to beginning therapy, an assessment is performed and subsequently interpreted by doctors using high-tech reading devices. This information, in turn, is used to determine which brainwave patterns need to be corrected. Patients are guided through a series of brain exercises, usually in the form of a video or audio recording (the “feedback” part of EEG biofeedback), that teach the brain to self-regulate when brainwave patterns begin to deviate from the norm. After a certain amount of repetition, the brain will eventually learn how to perform these normalizing functions automatically, which should then help address the problem not only in the right now, but for the long-term. In this way, EEG biofeedback accomplishes what medication or therapy sets out to do without continually eating up your time, money, and patience.

To take the first step in changing your life forever with BrainCore’s incredible EEG biofeedback, click here today and get in touch with our team.