Are you suffering from any psychological or behavioral health issues? You need to train your brain to function positively, and this is only possible with the help of Neurofeedback therapy. So, if you or any loved one is suffering from any mental health issue, then you can choose neurofeedback therapy. However, before you get this therapy, you should understand what Neurofeedback is and how it works. This article is a complete guide for you as you will also get familiar with the side effects of neurofeedback therapy. So, read this master guide and get familiar with each aspect of neurofeedback therapy.
What is Neurofeedback therapy?
Neurofeedback is a safe and non-invasive therapy that assists individuals in taking control of their brain functions. This therapy involves the use of electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor the activity of the brain in real-time. With the help of this treatment, individuals train their brains to function effectively, and the brain also learns with time. In this way, it helps in getting recovery from common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ETC.
Why Do People Use Neurofeedback Therapy and how it works?
The process of neurofeedback therapy involves the monitoring of the waves produced by the brain. This is done with the help of a device that has electrodes and is attached to the brain of an individual. During the neurofeedback therapy, the patient is asked to engage in any activity, such as watching any video, playing a game, or listening to any sound or music. As they engage themselves in any activity, expert not only analyze the pattern of brain waves but also perform their mapping. Specialized software is used for the measurement of brainwaves. Then real-time feedback is generated that helps the individuals control their brain activity to get the desired state.
The neurofeedback process is just like the exercise of your brain. As you perform any physical activity or do any exercise, you feel some fatigue or tiredness after the workout. Your sense of fatigue or tiredness is an indication that you have done something hard. Similarly, you can also experience some side effects of neurofeedback training.
Positive and Negative reinforcement
Moreover, neurofeedback therapy relies on the principle of operant conditioning. If the desired brainwaves are generated, then they receive positive feedback through any auditory and visual signal. For example, if they are watching something on the screen then the brightness of the screen is increased. This is positive reinforcement that is generated by the positive feedback.
However, if undesired brainwaves are generated, then it results the negative reinforcement, such as the dimming of light. With the help of positive feedback, patients learn to train their brains to generate the desired type of brainwaves.
What are the different types of Brainwaves produced by the brain?
The brain generates the following types of brainwaves which have varied frequency and amplitude.
Alpha waves
Alpha waves are produced when the brain is in a relaxing condition and not performing any activity. Moreover, their frequency is in the range of 8 to 13 Hz.
Beta waves
Beta waves are produced when the brain is alert, active, and focused. Moreover, the beta waves are strongly linked with logical and conscious thinking.
Gamma waves
Gamma waves are produced when the brain is extremely active and engaged in any strenuous activity or solving any complex problem. The frequency range of gamma waves is 30 to 100 Hz.
Delta waves
Among all other brainwaves, delta waves are the slowest and are linked with sleep. In addition, they have a frequency of up to 3 Hz.
What Conditions Benefit from Neurofeedback Therapy?
With the help of neurofeedback therapy, individuals can recover from the following mental health conditions:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Schizophrenia
- Autism Spectrum disorder
- Learning disabilities
What are the benefits of Neurofeedback therapy?
There are multiple benefits of neurofeedback treatment, which are as follows:
- The neurofeedback treatment is non-invasive as it does not involve the use of medications.
- Neurofeedback is extremely significant in enhancing cognitive functions.
- It can target specific regions of the brain to treat cognitive impairments.
Is Neurofeedback Therapy Safe?
Yes, Neurofeedback therapy is safe for all individuals, including children and adults. Moreover, if a neurofeedback session is under the control of a professional therapist, then there is a reduced chance of side effects. Neurofeedback treatment is effective not only for the treatment of common mental health issues but also in removing their psychological and neurological symptoms.
What are the side effects of Neurofeedback therapy?
It’s not necessary for every individual to exhibit the side effects of neurofeedback treatment. However, some people that neurofeedback patients experience before, during, and after the neurofeedback sessions are as follows:
Anxiety
Most people feel nervous when the expert places the electrodes on their scalp, so they get anxious and feel uncomfortable; so, during the neurofeedback session, anxiety is a common side effect of neurofeedback therapy. However, at the end of the session, the person feels comparatively relaxed.
Depression
Just like anxiety, depression is also a common side effect of neurofeedback therapy. Although Neurofeedback helps in the treatment of depression due to elevated speed in the delta waves, the onset of depression occurs.
Social anxiety
Social anxiety is also a common side effect of neurofeedback therapy in some individuals.
Brain fog
Some individuals also experience brain fog during the neurofeedback sessions. They face difficulty in organizing their thoughts. However, as the neurofeedback therapy progresses, brain fog decreases.
Cognitive impairments
Different cognitive impairments can also occur if the Neurofeedback is not performed under the supervision of skilled experts.
Fatigue
Due to fluctuations in the speed of brain waves, most individuals experience fatigue during and after the neurofeedback sessions.
Decreased energy
Those individuals who have hyperactivity symptoms can experience reduced energy levels due to neurofeedback treatment.
Muscle tension
Muscle tension can also occur due to an increase in the ratio of frequencies of brainwaves. Most individuals also experience muscle tension as a side effect of neurofeedback therapy.
Depersonalization
Most individuals feel that they do not have any connection between their mind with reality. They feel uncomfortable even in the presence of others and always prefer isolation.
Dizziness
Although experts ask them to divert their minds in any activity due to the brainwaves, they feel dizzy.
Chattering teeth
Most of the neurofeedback patients also reported teeth chattering after the end of neurofeedback sessions.
Worsening of the symptoms
Different patients have also reported the worsening of symptoms after the neurofeedback sessions. However, in some cases, new symptoms also appear.
Are there any training-related side effects?
As there any multiple platforms that provide neurofeedback treatments, and each offers different experts, there is also a diversity in the quality of neurofeedback treatment. So, if the person isn’t receiving good quality neurofeedback training, then they can experience the side effects.
How Can You Minimize the Side Effects of Neurofeedback Therapy?
With the help of the following ways, you can reduce the side effects of Neurofeedback therapy.
Choose a professional therapist
The selection of a professional therapist is extremely important to prevent all negative consequences. Therefore, make sure to find an experienced and skilled neurofeedback therapist to avoid the side effects of neurofeedback treatment and also cope with any other issues.
Communicate with the therapist
Before the start of each neurofeedback session, make sure to communicate with your therapist effectively. So if you feel any kind of stress or any other issue during the session, your therapist can take some effective measures to avoid all problems.
Stick to the treatment plan
Make sure that you follow the treatment plan and do not make modifications in the therapy sessions. However, if you feel any need, then you need to inform the expert regarding your requirements.
Give your brain rest
Most people think that the number of sessions is linked to the productivity of the results. However, this is not a fact, as your brain also needs some time and space to rest and focus on specific neural pathways. So, there should be a gap between the neurofeedback sessions, and you should only perform those activities that do not put extra strain on your mind.
Consider your pre-existing neurological condition
If you are suffering from any pre-existing neurological condition, then make sure to inform your neurofeedback therapist. For example, if you have epilepsy, then there is a greater possibility that you will get more side effects of neurofeedback treatment.
Self-care
If you are both physically and mentally active, then you can deal with any challenging situation in your life. Therefore, make a schedule of proper diet, sleep, and workout if you want to prevent and deal with the side effects of neurofeedback therapy.
Does Brainpower provide safe Neurofeedback treatment?
If you are battling with any mental illness and looking for any reliable neurofeedback treatment, then Brainpower Wellness Institute is ideal for you. We have a team of professional experts who are skilled in providing neurofeedback treatment. They develop customized treatment plans based on the individual. They always prioritize the well-being of each individual and, therefore, provide effective neurofeedback treatment that helps each individual get lasting relief from all common mental health issues. Our experts ensure to provide neurofeedback treatments that do not result in any side effects. So what are you waiting for? Reach out to our platform to communicate with the top experts and live your life with mental freedom.
