The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It is responsible for producing our thoughts, actions, and feelings. Our brain is responsible for how we take in and process the vast world around us.
It is no surprise that mental illness occurs from dysfunction within the brain. Certain people experience abnormalities in different brain circuits that cause brain functioning issues overall. These abnormalities are also likely to contribute to the development of mental illness.
Researchers, scientists, and other mental health professionals seem to take a heavy interest in how individuals’ brain circuits and brain waves affect their mental health. While this is not a new concept, this is what began the field of Neurotherapy and neurofeedback.
What Is Neurotherapy?
Neurotherapy, also known as neurofeedback, is a form of therapy that assesses an individual’s brain activity. This form of therapy helps teach and strengthen self-control of brain functions to individuals by using a device that measures brain waves. Neurofeedback will also provide a feedback signal through audio or video feedback as it measures activity.
Neurofeedback works to assist a person while they try to control their brain ways consciously. It specifically aims to help individuals alter their brain activity and improve self-regulation. The communication between groups of cells in the brain generates thoughts, actions, and emotions and can be detectable in the form of brain waves.
The equipment used in neurofeedback is called a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG). This computer-based system is used to map out a person’s brain waves, which is sometimes referred to as “brain mapping.” It records electrical activity through the scalp and pairs mapped brain waves with visual or audio signals to retrain the brain. QEEG brain mapping provides both mental health professionals and clients with insightful information from sessions that can help make precise diagnoses and guide treatment in the right direction.
Why Does Neurotherapy Work?
The brain has “neuroplasticity,” which means that it has the ability to change and heal itself. Treatments of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other forms of trauma have demonstrated that even the most complex organ in our bodies, the brain, can rewire its functioning in response to lifestyle changes or other experiences.
Our brain waves are important signals that are accountable for how we function as human beings. When our brain waves are not functioning as they are supposed to, such as moving too quickly or too slowly, our bodies feel off balance. This experience might surface as anxiety or low energy.
Neurotherapy works to harmonize brain waves and balance brain activity. A training brain will learn how to slow down abnormally fast activity or speed up abnormally slow activity through sessions.
It is important to understand that lifestyle choices, such as exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress levels, significantly affect the neuroplastic brain. It is crucial that neurofeedback is being completed alongside other treatment modalities to give yourself the best opportunity for plasticity to occur.
Neurotherapy, Trauma, and Addiction
Neurofeedback presents itself as an effective treatment tool for treating addiction and trauma compared to other traditional therapies. Unlike other therapies, neurofeedback retrains the mind to make healthier decisions, encouraging positive patterns of actions for those in recovery. With trauma, neurofeedback works deeply at the subconscious level to rewrite any dysfunction or negative patterns within the brain. As sessions continue, this form of therapy works to break the cycle of trauma as well as traumatic symptoms.
How Can I Prepare for a Neurofeedback Session?
Planning and preparation are essential to ensure a successful experience with neurofeedback. It is crucial that you create and continue to reflect on your treatment goals.
During your initial session, you will start by watching a movie on a computer screen. The screen will fade when your brain waves are moving too fast or too slow. The screen will become bright when your brain waves become normalized.
As you continue to watch the movie, you’ll notice these screen changes. Each change in screen allows you to visually see how your brain waves veer outside of the optimal range for just a few seconds. You will also be able to visually see your brain working to correct each fade through repetition and continued learning.
Most neurofeedback sessions last between 45 minutes to one hour. Every session strengthens your brain just a bit more than before. Typically, people participate in neurofeedback sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. The benefits that come from neurofeedback are vast, so if you struggle with your mental health, perhaps this treatment method will be your silver lining.
Neurofeedback is a vital treatment therapy method that allows people to visualize their brain activity as they work to rewire their brain structure. Using a computer-like machine, an individual’s brain waves and activity are monitored during the sessions. Neurofeedback is an important treatment method because the brain is neuroplastic, which means it has the ability to rewire and heal itself. Neurofeedback works to treat a variety of conditions, especially addiction and trauma. Sabino Recovery is a treatment center that utilizes neurofeedback and QEEG brain mapping. We put faith in the fact that the brain is neuroplastic and that even the most challenging of addictive or traumatic patterns can be reversed. Neurofeedback gives you the tools to move beyond negative patterns of thought, behavior, and action without having to relive negative experiences. For more information on neurofeedback or to learn more about our treatment center, call Sabino Recovery today at (844) 227-7014.
