by Marie Harger |
Neurofeedback, also known as biofeedback, has grown in popularity due to expanding scientific evidence by world leading universities and research hospitals. In fact, the U. S. National Library of Medicine’s database of scholarly articles contains dozens of prestigious studies about neurofeedback with positive outcomes. With neurofeedback you can learn to train your brain. Neurofeedback is used not only by elite athletes to improve performance, but also by those who want to reduce stress, enhance creativity, and/or improve mental health. Many studies are suggesting a drug-free alternative for those with ADHD and drug addiction.
Neurofeedback is technology based on work developed by German psychiatrist Hans Berger who began to use electrodes to measure and categorize human brain-wave activity. An eletroencephalograph is a machine that measures the brain-wave pulsations. Normal waking consciousness is called the Beta state with a frequency of 14-30 Hz. A relaxed, comfortable, natural and peaceful state is the alpha level, which you must pass through on your way to deep sleep, where the brain-wave pulsates from 7-13 Hz. It is in this state that neurofeedback has its results. Theta brain wave state is slower than alpha at 4-7 Hz. In deep sleep, delta level, brain waves have a frequency of 4 Hz or slower.
Through neurofeedback, you can learn to stay in the alpha state. Researchers from Laredo, Texas found that when the brain is in this state it is highly beneficial for the body. Stressed organs and systems rejuvenate, recuperate and revitalize and as this occurs the body can then experience healing, stress reduction, creativity and more. They found in the alpha level, subjects had the ability to control the unconscious or subconscious functions.
According to Martin Wutke, founder of a Neurofeedback clinic and former Heroin addict, meditation is what helped him beat his addiction problem, and he used neurofeedback to facilitate that state. He further says, that alcoholics and drug addicts have been noted as having fast brain waves, which drive them to seek a chemical fix to calm and soothe the overactive brain. With neurofeedback, parts of the brain that have been asleep or underused can be activated, and overactive regions of the brain can be calmed down. The results are often life-changing.
ADHD are a common condition many children and parents are dealing with, and usually medication is prescribed. The beta brain waves in someone who has ADHD is lacking. In the Beta state we have the ability to concentrate our thought and attention. Through neurofeedback training, beta waves can be increased, improving concentration, and learning to calm oneself down when needed.
Notable research with neurofeedback has been established for sufferers of migraines, depression and anxiety by teaching to monitor vital body signals and then attempt to control them.
Although neurofeedback does not cure our health conditions or issues, it is a tool that enables people to produce the necessary brain waves needed to manage and deal with existing and underlying issues.
References:
- Sweeney, Michael S. Brain The Complete Mind. National Geographic, Washington D.C., 2009.
- Silva, Jose and Stone, Robert B. You the Healer. New World Library, California, 1989.
- Ode For Intelligent Optimists, Neurofeedback can Train your Brain. March 2009.
- www.sciencenews.org. Neuroscience. November 2009.
- www.wikipedia.org/wiki/neurofeedback
