FAQ

What is EEG Biofeedback?

EEG Biofeedback is a natural way to improve your ability to focus by learning how to cultivate brain waves that are linked to greater attention span and learning potential. It is a method of monitoring and tracking electrical signals and patterns from the brain. An EEG is a record of the electrical activity of the brain. Sensors are attached to the surface of the scalp.

The goal of Neurofeedback is to develop a stable yet flexible brain that regulates the body’s psychophysiological functions appropriately. The brain operates at different frequencies at different times. Different brain wave frequencies are associated with different mental states.

What are brain waves?

Brainwaves are a measure of mental activity. They are the manifestation of electrical impulses generated by different parts of the brain that reflect how well an area of the brain is functioning.

Are there different brain waves? What are they?

BETA – full consciousness

ALPHA -- subconscious

SMR – relaxed state of awareness

THETA – light sleep

DELTA – deep sleep

1. BETA is a level of complete consciousness, in which people function for about 16 hours per day. This state regulates bodily functions including breathing, heartbeat, digestion, kidney function, etc. Approximately 75% of BETA is used to monitor these bodily functions while the other 25% of the conscious mind is utilized to process our conscious thoughts.

BETA waves are an important feature of the mature human brain. BETA brain waves (13-38Hz) are associated with alertness, arousal, focus, concentration, cognition, and when excessive, anxiety. They are most dominant and powerful when one is awake with eyes open and working on concrete, specific problems.

2. ALPHA is a level of subconscious mind. ALPHA waves (8-12Hz) are associated with feeling inattentive, peacefu l, calm and relaxed. This area is involved in meditation and hypnotic training. As we close our eyes and become more relaxed, and unfocused, brain wave activity slows and we produce alpha waves. When you are relaxed and unfocused, ALPHA waves become dominant in the brain and produce a calm and pleasant sensation called “the alpha state.” Healthy people produce a lot of ALPHA activity. Lack of ALPHA activity could be associated with anxiety, stress, brain damage or illness. Too much ALPHA produced eyes open for some people can make harder to focus and be attentive to tasks and also be a sign of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

3. A particular range of frequency between Alpha and Beta is called SMR—SENSORY MOTOR RHYTHM (12-14 Hz). It is centered around 13 Hz, which is the low end of the Beta range. It regulates the circadian rhythms of the body such as sleep cycles, breathing, blood pressure and sugar levels.

4. THETA is a level of the unconscious mind that functions in light sleep. THETA waves (4-7Hz) are associated with drowsiness and spaciness. THETA activity occurs between waking and sleep. These waves are relatively slow and often accompanied by unexpected, dreamlike mental images. THETA offers access to unconscious material, reveries, free association, sudden insight and creative ideas. THETA waves are the key to remembering how we find our way from one place to another. They are sometimes used to train people to induce hypnotic and meditation trances.

5. DELTA is a level of the unconscious mind that functions in deep sleep. It is characterized by deep dreamless, unmoving slumber. People in comas are usually DELTA-dominant. This state usually occurs for 30 to 40 minutes per night. DELTA waves (0-3Hz) are associated with fogginess and dissociation. They are slower than THETA waves. While one is in a DELTA-dominant state, the brain releases large quantities of HGH (Human Growth Hormone). If a person presents a high level of DELTA wave activity while awake, there is likely to be a more profound impairment in his or her ability to attend to complex duties.

How do the brain wave activities take turns?

When you get up in the morning, you go from alpha to beta. When you go to sleep at night, you go from beta to alpha to theta to delta to theta to alpha, and then the cycle repeats itself.

MORNING: alpha to beta

NIGHT: beta to alpha to theta to delta to theta to alpha, etc.

How are the brain waves measured?

Small electrodes are placed on the scalp to measure the brain waves.

How do you change brain waves?

In Neurofeedback, by observing their brain waves in a computer game format, people eventually learn how to maintain faster brain waves and reduce slower brain waves.

What is the minimum age for Neurofeedback to be effective?

Two years old.

Who can benefit from Neurofeedback?

Almost everyone can benefit from Neurofeedback because it helps an individual learn how to function at optimal levels and keep his or her central nervous system regulated. The crucial component in order to benefit from Neurofeedback is the client’s willingness to take an active role in his/her treatment process.

Is it harmful?

Not at all. It is absolutely safe. It is even reversible. The equipment does not send any electricity into the client. It only picks up tiny electrical signals from the brain through the scalp and then provides feedback on the amplitude of the signal. In fact, not only is the EEG training harmless, it’s also fun.

What does Neurofeedback do that medications do not?

Although medications act immediately--they treat the symptoms, the effect wears off quickly. In contrast, Neurofeedback addresses the causes. It takes a certain number of sessions before an improvement can be detected. Even so, the good news is that the effects of Neurofeedback last much longer than medication for most conditions and are eventually permanent.

How can I expect to feel after a session?

Depending on the frequency being used, you may feel deeply relaxed or wakefully alert. Usually you will feel refreshed, calmer or more focused depending on what is needed.

How long does the EEG biofeedback training normally take?

The actual length of time spent getting feedback is 30 minutes. Depending on the protocol, the session might last for about 45 minutes.

How often do you need to train during a week?

· The frequency of training is usually twice or three times per week. Condensed schedules are available upon request.

· In the beginning of learning, an individual should have the training sessions on a regular and consistent basis. Once the brain adjusts to the training, the number of sessions per week can be reduced.

How many sessions are usually needed?

Training protocols are tailored to meet the personal needs of each client. The length of EEG Biofeedback training depends on the nature, length and severity of the problem. It is impossible to predict how an individual will respond to the training. Some clients respond more quickly than others. Although some people with more severe conditions may take longer to learn specific self-regulation skills, many are amazed at how quickly and readily positive changes occur. In our office, we try to give an estimate for the duration of Neurofeedback training before starting.

· The training can take from 40 to 60 sessions, sometimes more for chronic conditions.

· Improvement in focusing ability or memory usually can be seen after about 20 sessions, often sooner.


		FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is EEG Biofeedback? EEG Biofeedback is a natural way to improve your ability to focus by learning how to cultivate brain waves that are linked to greater attention span and learning potential. It is a method of monitoring and tracking electrical signals and patterns from the brain. An EEG is a record of the electrical activity of the brain. Sensors are attached to the surface of the scalp. The goal of Neurofeedback is to develop a stable yet flexible brain that regulates the body’s psychophysiological functions appropriately. The brain operates at different frequencies at different times. Different brain wave frequencies are associated with different mental states. What are brain waves? Brainwaves are a measure of mental activity. They are the manifestation of electrical impulses generated by different parts of the brain that reflect how well an area of the brain is functioning. Are there different brain waves? What are they? BETA – full consciousness ALPHA -- subconscious SMR – relaxed state of awareness THETA – light sleep DELTA – deep sleep 1. BETA is a level of complete consciousness, in which people function for about 16 hours per day. This state regulates bodily functions including breathing, heartbeat, digestion, kidney function, etc. Approximately 75% of BETA is used to monitor these bodily functions while the other 25% of the conscious mind is utilized to process our conscious thoughts. BETA waves are an important feature of the mature human brain. BETA brain waves (13-38Hz) are associated with alertness, arousal, focus, concentration, cognition, and when excessive, anxiety. They are most dominant and powerful when one is awake with eyes open and working on concrete, specific problems. 2. ALPHA is a level of subconscious mind. ALPHA waves (8-12Hz) are associated with feeling inattentive, peacefu l, calm and relaxed. This area is involved in meditation and hypnotic training. As we close our eyes and become more relaxed, and unfocused, brain wave activity slows and we produce alpha waves. When you are relaxed and unfocused, ALPHA waves become dominant in the brain and produce a calm and pleasant sensation called “the alpha state.” Healthy people produce a lot of ALPHA activity. Lack of ALPHA activity could be associated with anxiety, stress, brain damage or illness. Too much ALPHA produced eyes open for some people can make harder to focus and be attentive to tasks and also be a sign of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). 3. A particular range of frequency between Alpha and Beta is called SMR—SENSORY MOTOR RHYTHM (12-14 Hz). It is centered around 13 Hz, which is the low end of the Beta range. It regulates the circadian rhythms of the body such as sleep cycles, breathing, blood pressure and sugar levels. 4. THETA is a level of the unconscious mind that functions in light sleep. THETA waves (4-7Hz) are associated with drowsiness and spaciness. THETA activity occurs between waking and sleep. These waves are relatively slow and often accompanied by unexpected, dreamlike mental images. THETA offers access to unconscious material, reveries, free association, sudden insight and creative ideas. THETA waves are the key to remembering how we find our way from one place to another. They are sometimes used to train people to induce hypnotic and meditation trances. 5. DELTA is a level of the unconscious mind that functions in deep sleep. It is characterized by deep dreamless, unmoving slumber. People in comas are usually DELTA-dominant. This state usually occurs for 30 to 40 minutes per night. DELTA waves (0-3Hz) are associated with fogginess and dissociation. They are slower than THETA waves. While one is in a DELTA-dominant state, the brain releases large quantities of HGH (Human Growth Hormone). If a person presents a high level of DELTA wave activity while awake, there is likely to be a more profound impairment in his or her ability to attend to complex duties. How do the brain wave activities take turns? When you get up in the morning, you go from alpha to beta. When you go to sleep at night, you go from beta to alpha to theta to delta to theta to alpha, and then the cycle repeats itself. MORNING: alpha to beta NIGHT: beta to alpha to theta to delta to theta to alpha, etc. How are the brain waves measured? Small electrodes are placed on the scalp to measure the brain waves. How do you change brain waves? In Neurofeedback, by observing their brain waves in a computer game format, people eventually learn how to maintain faster brain waves and reduce slower brain waves. What is the minimum age for Neurofeedback to be effective? Two years old. Who can benefit from Neurofeedback? Almost everyone can benefit from Neurofeedback because it helps an individual learn how to function at optimal levels and keep his or her central nervous system regulated. The crucial component in order to benefit from Neurofeedback is the client’s willingness to take an active role in his/her treatment process. Is it harmful? Not at all. It is absolutely safe. It is even reversible. The equipment does not send any electricity into the client. It only picks up tiny electrical signals from the brain through the scalp and then provides feedback on the amplitude of the signal. In fact, not only is the EEG training harmless, it’s also fun. What does Neurofeedback do that medications do not? Although medications act immediately--they treat the symptoms, the effect wears off quickly. In contrast, Neurofeedback addresses the causes. It takes a certain number of sessions before an improvement can be detected. Even so, the good news is that the effects of Neurofeedback last much longer than medication for most conditions and are eventually permanent. How can I expect to feel after a session? Depending on the frequency being used, you may feel deeply relaxed or wakefully alert. Usually you will feel refreshed, calmer or more focused depending on what is needed. How long does the EEG biofeedback training normally take? The actual length of time spent getting feedback is 30 minutes. Depending on the protocol, the session might last for about 45 minutes. How often do you need to train during a week? · The frequency of training is usually twice or three times per week. Condensed schedules are available upon request. · In the beginning of learning, an individual should have the training sessions on a regular and consistent basis. Once the brain adjusts to the training, the number of sessions per week can be reduced. How many sessions are usually needed? Training protocols are tailored to meet the personal needs of each client. The length of EEG Biofeedback training depends on the nature, length and severity of the problem. It is impossible to predict how an individual will respond to the training. Some clients respond more quickly than others. Although some people with more severe conditions may take longer to learn specific self-regulation skills, many are amazed at how quickly and readily positive changes occur. In our office, we try to give an estimate for the duration of Neurofeedback training before starting. · The training can take from 40 to 60 sessions, sometimes more for chronic conditions. · Improvement in focusing ability or memory usually can be seen after about 20 sessions, often sooner.