Normally, our body would react to stress with a burst of adrenaline, enabling us to deal with the sudden ‘fight or fright’ moment. In this instance, we are well-suited to dealing with tasks at hand, we are alert, react impulsively yet with full consciousness and assertiveness. This is a very useful state for many situations, and we need it, however there’s only a relatively short time our body can sustain it. While in it, we neglect other bodily functions, other worries, ambitions, needs, plans or strategies.
We therefore need to return comfortably to a more relaxed state, eat, drink, and recuperate in a deep sleep, which is the opposite of the excitability spectrum.
The middle ground is what we spend most of our day in, and here we’d like to have as much awareness and emotional participation as possible, ideally being well-rested and relaxed while being able to problem-solve, be creative, empathise and be aware of one’s own needs, ambitions, abilities and having a healthy sense of self-worth and appreciation. It is this state of mind that neurofeedback aims to enhance.
Modern lifestyles put us into a state of permanent, though less extreme stress. Irregular sleep patterns, diminished sleep quality or difficulties getting to sleep unaided are obvious symptoms of this. Our minds and bodies are constantly under pressure, sometimes so subtly that we are not even aware of it, nor that we have the ability to reset and arrange our life the way we’d like it.
This is where Neurofeedback helps us. By training the brain to regulate itself effectively, we are teaching ourselves to be able to relax when necessary, become alert and impulsive when needed. To be on top of things at work, at home, with friends and family, during sports and recreation, while able to fall asleep safely and soundly for maximum recuperation.
The brain’s ability to regulate is fundamentally a balancing act between two parts:
– The inner brain, starting with the spine and brainstem, and including core parts like the Thalamus, provide instinctive, impulsive, subconscious actions and reactions;
– the outer brain, particularly the cerebral cortex, receives these and adds a layer of inhibition where it deems necessary; this is mostly a function of trained behaviour, fears, and past traumas and rewards.
What we might call ‘gut reactions’ might often be necessary and productive; other times a more measured response based on experiences, conscious deliberation or even other subconscious impulse can be more appropriate.
Getting it right with respect to the level of feeling and consciousness is what a well-regulated brain is about.
In a relaxed setting, sitting back in a comfortable chair, Neurofeedback simply involves adding three electrodes to your head, they just stick on, and measure your brainwaves. The feedback arises from watching a movie or playing a game – soon in VR – and the brain responding subtly and subconsciously to the barely noticeable impulses that are added to the visuals. The conscious mind is occupied with the the action on screen, while the subconscious digests the Neurofeedback and trains accordingly. The process is simple and pleasant:
This is both private and entertaining, and something people look forward to.
Anyone with the willingness and desire to optimise the function of their brain and emotional life.
- Peak Performance – improved focus, concentration and creativity in sports, music, business, management, any performance-oriented scenario
- Sleep & Relaxation– restore the ability to get a deep night’s sleep simply by closing one’s eyes, feel well-rested and energised
- Emotional Balance – a non-intrusive way out of depression, anxiety, fatigue or compulsiveness leading to a healthy mind-body equilibrium
- Developmental Disorders – autism spectrum, Asperger’s, ADHD, Depression and age-related weaknesses such as dementia and Parkinson’s symptoms can be addressed