(And the key to helping you change your brain patterns at any age)
Neurofeedback is founded on the principle that the brain has an amazing ability to change itself. This ability is known as “neuroplasticity.” It’s how learning takes place. For example, neuroplasticity is what allows you to become better at a sport with practice or to develop a new habit over time.
Exploiting neuroplasticity helps people feel better who are suffering from many common disorders including anxiety, depression, sleep issues, chronic pain, and attention problems.
The brain continues to adapt and adjust throughout life.
It was once believed that brain development stopped around the age of 25. Research has shown, however, that throughout life the brain continues to adapt and change as it confronts new experiences, acquires fresh knowledge and is exposed to varying sensory input. Different neurons fire, the number of synapses increases, and the brain gets “re-mapped.” It’s now known that this capacity for change continues well into old age.
New patterns and structures lead to contentment and a peaceful mind.
Neurofeedback encourages the development of new patterns and structures in the brain over time. With practice and training, these patterns can result in a happier, more contented way of life, such as being less reactive, handling stress better or having improved attention.
At the Center for Brain Training, we employ neurofeedback to train the brain into healthier, more functional patterns. This training helps the brain adjust its timing and strengthens connectivity between the different parts of the brain.
For someone with hyperactivity or anxiety, neurofeedback teaches the brain to calm itself. For someone with depression, neurofeedback helps wake up the brain and elevate mood.
Potential to reduce medication
The conventional approach to managing disorders like anxiety, depression and sleep problems is medication. Drugs can temporarily alleviate symptoms but come with undesirable side effects. Furthermore, they don’t teach the brain new patterns and may fail or eventually stop working. When medication is discontinued, the symptoms are likely to return, because the brain hasn’t learned to operate any differently.
Many people using neurofeedback are able, over time, to reduce or eliminate medication (with their doctor’s guidance).