For centuries, it was believed that the brain is hardwired and unable to change, only recently has been a breakthrough in neuroscience, that has disputed the conventional thinking stating that our brains are fixed like a machine or computer.
Fortunately, our brains are continually being renewed and reshaped by our daily experiences. This means that we can improve our control of how we think and this can have a massive impact on our everyday life.
So what is neurofeedback? Neurofeedback is not regarded as a cure but is a type of therapy involving an automated program used to monitor, record and analyze our brain activity. The biofeedback displays can help us learn how our brain functioning is impacted by our thoughts, in an attempt to teach us self-regulation and thereby self-control of our thinking patterns and brain functions.
A lot of research and speculation has been done on neurofeedback therapy to test its effectiveness on the treatment of many diseases and mental illnesses, like Alzheimer’s, insomnia, anxiety, stress, etc.
During the training sessions, an automated neurofeedback program is used to teach your central nervous system to restructure and control brainwave frequencies. Neurofeedback evaluates your brain and provides information about areas of dysfunction that are causing symptoms so that they can be treated directly. Diverse kinds of neurofeedback methods and equipment are used for various types of neurological problems. Between sessions, you should already be able to notice changes in stress, sleep patterns, or mental clarity.
It is essential to find a licensed mental health professional, one who has been trained to use neurofeedback equipment and programs and can provide neurofeedback services in their private practice or clinic. In addition to this, you want a therapist with whom you feel secure in discussing personal issues, and who can explain the neurofeedback process, its potential benefits, and its limitations in a way you can understand.
Even though it is a non-invasive procedure, its effectiveness has been questioned in terms of conclusive scientific evidence. It could take months to show the desired changes. Despite this, neurofeedback is known as a complementary and alternative treatment of many brain dysfunctions.
This certainly can instill hope as now we have the ability to improve our mental condition, treat and protect us from neurological disorders.