First of all, what the hell is Neurofeedback? Neurofeedback is a therapy, a tool, a technology that gives you the possibility of direct training your brain functions. Many cognitive processes and mental states such as stress, attention or relaxation can be measured in your brain waves and therefore be monitored.
Neurofeedback allows you to observe your brain in action by listening to your brain waves. Processes to be trained are extracted by a computer and this information is shown back to the person who is trying to change his brain activity to operate under the appropriate levels. Neurofeedback is a gradual process in which through practice and repetition people are definitely able to manipulate these levels, improving the trained functions.
Neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to act and react in ever-changing ways) has been widely studied in the last decade. Many studies have revealed that changes occurring directly after brainwave training induce lasting effects. The human brain is incredibly adaptive and it is possible to control the way it adapts by training it.
Neurofeedback has a wide range of clinical uses including attention deficit, hyperactivity, alcoholism and migraine. As an example of Neurofeedback clinical treatment let’s have a look at ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). ADHD is a disorder characterized by the co-existence of attention problems and hyperactivity with its symptoms starting before seven years of age. Children suffering from ADHD learn how to focus their attention and control their behavior playing video-games just with their brain! Depending on the interpretation of their brain waves, children are immediately rewarded or challenged encouraging them to operate at the desired levels. Only if they perform well is it possible to go for the next level.
It’s not only people suffering from diseases as the one mentioned above who can benefit from neurofeedback technology. Athletes and other professionals are already aware of Neurofeedback’s possibilities and use it as a means of getting the competitive edge by enhancing performance. Beach-volleyball star Kerri Walsh-Jennings and her teammate Misty May-Treanor are an example.
Portable brain measuring systems make it quick and easy to carry out your medical treatment or personal training. Just identify the specific aspects of your brain’s functioning you want to improve, extract them and use the visual feedback information to learn how to change your behavior or conduct.
Wouldn’t you like to improve your brain’s possibilities?
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