Neurofeedback is Biofeedback for the Brain
The use of personal computers has given us a new language that is easily applied to understanding the brain. The use of personal computers has also given us the means to apply new understandings to working with the brain. This is enabling effect intervention into psychological and physiological systems that are beneath our conscious awareness, but impacting our psychological and emotional states
The brain has hardware and software just like your computer. With the computers there can be a malfunction with either the hardware or software. As you know, this is important to determine which is malfunctioning. Seldom would one consider waiting for the system to automatically self correct. We know to get assistance. We don't wait, because for most people the ability to function well in the world is dependent upon a functioning computer. We all accept and understand this paradigm.
The brain is very similar, only we have different expectations in how it should operate. We basically assume it should not require fixing, seldom seek assistance, nor understand that our well being is dependent upon the integration and functioning of the hardware and software.
The brain has hardware and software just like your computer. With the computers there can be a malfunction with either the hardware or software. As you know, this is important to determine which is malfunctioning. Seldom would one consider waiting for the system to automatically self correct. We know to get assistance. We don't wait, because for most people the ability to function well in the world is dependent upon a functioning computer. We all accept and understand this paradigm.
The brain is very similar, only we have different expectations in how it should operate. We basically assume it should not require fixing, seldom seek assistance, nor understand that our well being is dependent upon the integration and functioning of the hardware and software.
Brain Region Sites and Functions
The brain hardware is defined by a brain map. There are regions and sites specific to certain physiological and psychological functions. These regions are made of two types of cells; glial cells and neuron. No doubt there will be more to come, but this is the current state of the art. Only a decade ago, the glial cells were perceived to only function as a glue like substance that held the neuron cells in proper structure. The past decade altered this understanding and now glial cells are know to run minuscule electrical current.
Hertz refers to a very small electrical frequency of current running through the glial cells and the neurons. The glial cells create a network of nesting neuron cells that help to integrate the brain.
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We are most familiar with the frequency of electricity which runs at 60 Hertz. We know when we touch an electrical wire we get a buzz because the current is much faster than what our body Hertz is. Every living organism runs electrical field.
The earths electrical field is about 8.9 Hertz. There is actually some debate about this, because the frequency of the field is slightly increasing. Historically it was 8.5 Hertz. We don't yet understand the significance of this. There is a central relay site in the brain that runs at 8.5 Hertz. This has also slightly increased. This central relay system is what regulates the entire brain. Sometimes, through substances or injury, this site becomes dis-regulated. Akin to a computer, this is when a reboot needs to happen. Interesting we know and accept this regarding computers, but not our brain. Dis-regulated emotions is one sign the brain needs rebalanced. The brains electrical currents create circuits, just like your computer. These are referred to as neuro-networks and within these systems there are neuro-network hubs. These hubs are what helps regulate the entire brain. Sometimes this hubs are damaged which results in a dis-regulation of the brain. We understand and accept this when we see people who have had strokes. The stop of blood, oxygen supporting the frequencies, causes these brain cells die. |
Brain Neuron Networks firing Hertz
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Only in the past two decades has the medical model begun to accepted these cells can regenerated, referred to as neurogenesis or brain plasticity. Neurofeedback is one modality that helps to retrain and regulate the frequencies of the brain.
The frequency of the brain are divided into five major categories. These categories are simplified for better understanding. Within each frequency band, there are subtle categories and correlate to a wide range of difference responses. Each brain region and site has a preferred ratio balance of various frequencies for optimal functioning
There are approximately 100 billion (100,000,000,000) neurons in the human brain. There are approximately 100 trillion neural connections, referred to as synapses, in the brain. A synapses is when one neuron connects to another and transmits a frequency through the use of neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are the middle point between the hardware and software of your brain. They are the transmit the chemistry of your brain, which allows the frequencies to run.
The human brain has more synapses than the number of stars in our galaxy.
Like the computer, these neuro-networks can start cross-wiring, over fire, under fire or lose contact with the regulating hub of the brain. When this occurs there are dis-regulating symptoms that also occur. These symptoms can include insomnia, anxiety, depression, ADD, reactive anger and poor bonding in relationships.
The most effective means of activating the brain's plasticity is a multi-integration plan that integrates diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, meditation and neurofeedback. Neurofeedback creates an imprint of what a regulate brain feels like. The next step is regular practices so the software understands what regulations feels like, giving the hardware a healing space to regenerate. There is a wide range of the number of neurofeedback session required, ten to forty, dependent upon the severity of the symptoms and the individual's acquisition of self-regulating skills.
The frequency of the brain are divided into five major categories. These categories are simplified for better understanding. Within each frequency band, there are subtle categories and correlate to a wide range of difference responses. Each brain region and site has a preferred ratio balance of various frequencies for optimal functioning
There are approximately 100 billion (100,000,000,000) neurons in the human brain. There are approximately 100 trillion neural connections, referred to as synapses, in the brain. A synapses is when one neuron connects to another and transmits a frequency through the use of neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are the middle point between the hardware and software of your brain. They are the transmit the chemistry of your brain, which allows the frequencies to run.
The human brain has more synapses than the number of stars in our galaxy.
Like the computer, these neuro-networks can start cross-wiring, over fire, under fire or lose contact with the regulating hub of the brain. When this occurs there are dis-regulating symptoms that also occur. These symptoms can include insomnia, anxiety, depression, ADD, reactive anger and poor bonding in relationships.
The most effective means of activating the brain's plasticity is a multi-integration plan that integrates diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, meditation and neurofeedback. Neurofeedback creates an imprint of what a regulate brain feels like. The next step is regular practices so the software understands what regulations feels like, giving the hardware a healing space to regenerate. There is a wide range of the number of neurofeedback session required, ten to forty, dependent upon the severity of the symptoms and the individual's acquisition of self-regulating skills.
What does Neurofeedback actually do?
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Neurofeedback places small electrodes on the scalp with a saline paste. The saline pasted electrodes picks up minuscule frequency, significantly amplifies them. This amplification allows us to see them visually on a computer. The electrodes do not put any signal into the skin, they only pick up and read the frequency that is there. |
Neurofeedback Electrodes
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The frequencies are then translated into spectrums, graphs, videos and games. Specific sites are chosen according to either a brain map or reported symptoms. The bar graph is set for a reward threshold. This can either be for increasing or decreasing certain frequency bands. When the brain wave moves into the desired frequency band a reward is stimulated. These rewards include videos, games, music and sounds. This reward system is referred to as operant conditioning a form of behavior modification. The neurofeedback training is modifying the subconscious brain. It is not working with the conscious brain. The frequencies can not be detected, but when they alter, this can be experienced in the body. |
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The majority of people I treat feel a difference in one session. This does not hold, because the new neuro-network grooves need to be established. Each session there is an accumulative effect. Some people describe this as settling, coming into a peaceful still point, where the mind becomes quiet and still. If there is depression symptom, some feel more embodies and present, with a peaceful quality.
Sometimes there are congestions, material that is stuck and buried in the neuro- networks that need to travel through the body to be released. The map to the left shows this. The right frontal cortext shows brain damaged that is under functioning. This can be from an injury, from an emotional trauma, or chronic stress. The brain is dis-regulated, but all that is sensed is emotional dis-regularity. The brain to the right side shows the same brain that has been regulated. The spectrum of colors shows what is under or over activated. This is what treatment is based on. When meds didn’t improve my depression, I tried retraining my brain waves instead https://qz.com/720419/when-meds-didnt-cure-my-depression-i-tried-retraining-my-brain-waves-instead/?fbclid=IwAR1OvefeTg1ZbPUDN0vZve8eBBtxOVsTtJiKbdBn4eJX1uWR-QYHhl-ahlc |
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