How It Works

          Neurofeedback is a safe and non-invasive process. We do not force the brain to activate but rather show it its current activation level and give feedback to when it is increasing or decreasing. We train users with a device called a passive infrared hemoencephalography headband. In simple terms this means that this device measures infrared radiation or heat generated from the prefrontal cortex correlated with activation levels with an incredibly sensitive, accurate, and precise sensor. When the infrared signal increases the software gives the user an audio or visual reward that indicates increased prefrontal cortex activation and when the signal decreases, indicating reduced prefrontal metabolism, the software indicates this to the user by ceasing the audio or visual reward. Over time the brain learns that it can keep receiving the audio or visual reward if it keeps its metabolic activity high during the session. Much like weightlifting, the nervous tissue of the prefrontal cortex responds like a muscle to increased metabolic demand by increasing its strength and nutrient supply which consequently leads to increased executive functions and greater inhibitory control over the brain. However, unlike muscle tissue, the brain keeps its increased performance after enough neurofeedback training sessions are completed. After training no conscious effort is needed to enjoy the benefits.

History

          Neurofeedback was originally discovered by Barry Sterman in one of his experiments. He conducted a study to see whether cats could control their brain activity through operant conditioning. He placed electrodes over the cats' sensory motor cortex and set up a system where a milk dropper would give the cats its' contents if they increased their sensory motor rhythm activity, a brain rhythm that indicates the inactivity and calmness of the cats' motor system and body. It was a success, after completing numerous trials the cats that received the milk dropper reward showed higher levels of sensory motor rhythm than the cats that did not go through the training. Some time had passed and Sterman conducted another experiment to help out the space program to find out the toxicity of rocket fuel to help keep astronauts safe during space travel. Sadly, the cats from the previous experiments were used to test the toxicitiy of the rocket fuel however something unusual had happened during the experiment. When exposed to rocket fuel most of the cats would show symptoms of over exposure and eventually have a seizure and then finally perish, however some cats skipped the seizure phase entirely and survived longer than the other cats. Intrigued by these results Sterman and his team investigated into why this was happening and eventually discovered that the cats who were surviving longer and had seemed to be seizure resistant were the cats who received the sensory motor rhythm enhancement training. A researcher on the team who had severe epilepsy asked Sterman to make her a device to increase her own sensory motor rhythm activity and eventually her seizures were reduced and with enough training were eliminated. With this knowledge neurofeedback practitioners have developed devices and protocols training people to increase or decrease various brainwaves and also to train people to increase bloodflow to their brain to treat a variety of conditions or to train for peak performance goals such as increased focus, better mood regulation, deeper sleep, creativity, etc...