NEUROFEEDBACK – TRAINING THE BRAIN WAVES TO IMPROVE ATTENTION
This article on neurofeedback, written by an excellent entrepreneur and founder of the Excellent Brain company, Ofer A. Lidsky, was published in the Carousel Magazine, a website for attention and concentration of Tel Aviv University.
The human brain is made up of two main types of cells, glial cells and nerve cells called neurons. The neuron is a special type of cell that allows it to transmit electrochemical information to other neurons. In fact, each neuron is a type of small “computer” capable of receiving a signal, performing an information processing operation, and finally extracting or not extracting a signal out to the adjacent neurons connected to it.
The “signal” in question begins as an electrical signal, but at the critical stage in the connection between the neurons, the electrical signal becomes chemical. This complex mechanism that converts the electrical signal into a chemical signal based on neurotransmitters that transmit signals between neurons and is what enables the incredible level of complexity that results in the magic that the human brain creates at every moment.
In every human brain there are about 86,000,000 neurons, and among those, there are about one hundred trillion synaptic connections (this is the current estimate of scientists). This fact is inconceivable and it enables the amazing ability of the human brain. This “machine”, the human brain, has a very important role to keep the organism alive and carry out the orders of evolution in the best and most efficient way.
During evolution, the brain evolved in several stages and indeed today it is made up of several main layers representing different periods of evolutionary development. The brainstem and cerebellum evolved first, and then the cerebral cortex developed which allowed for the creation of new and complex features. Now at the height of evolutionary evolution is the human brain with the highest weight ratio (brain / organism) on Earth.
Nearly a century ago, the first electrical measurement of the brain was performed. A scientist named Hans Berger (1924) was able to measure the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the brain during its operation and display it on a graph. This was a breakthrough that led, among other things, to the development of a treatment method called neurofeedback. Today we know clearly and distinctly that the brain activity resulting from the mental activity produces electromagnetic radiation as a “side effect” of the electrical charges passing between the neurons in the brain.
Moreover, after decades of scientific research, various fields have been developed that are related to the analysis of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the brain and today this field is called EEG – ElectroEncephalography.
What is neurofeedback, and why is it so successful?
Neurofeedback is a science-based training method that measures the brain waves emitted from the trainee’s brain in real time and provides positive feedback when the trainee is in the “right place” for the training he is performing. For example, in order to train for attention and concentration, the system will provide positive feedback to the trainee when he is in a concentrated state in order to learn how to return to being in that state as he wishes and easily. At the basis of the method are three important principles. Signs of various phenomena in the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the brain can be clearly measured and monitored. That is, there are clear characteristics to various phenomena such as attention deficit disorder and they can be accurately measured from EEG radiation. This means that deviations from the normal patterns of the EEG can be clearly measured and linked to various symptoms and diseases.
A person can change the patterns of electromagnetic radiation voluntarily. That is, a person can voluntarily concentrate on something and as a result the patterns of electromagnetic radiation emitted from his brain (EEG) will change immediately. A person can be taught to change his EEG patterns. The brain remembers the changes and allows them to be reconstructed in normal life even outside of training and the clinic. From this training method, various protocols have been created that make it possible to train various symptoms and disorders, such as, among other things, ADHD.
The effectiveness of neurofeedback has been extensively tested over the years and in many studies.
An interesting article that can be read at the link indicates the great effectiveness of using neurofeedback in children with ADHD. In some cases, neurofeedback results are similar to those obtained with medication and that these results in some patients are even maintained two months and six months after treatment.
Why had I not heard of neurofeedback before?
There are quite a few reasons why neurofeedback is still not common enough. Here are some of them. Neurofeedback is a training method that requires performing a training program with about 30 sessions, which requires effort, investment, and motivation. Obviously, most people are looking for the easy solution, and indeed, the easiest and quickest solution is medication. Most people are looking for the Quick Fix. Until now, neurofeedback treatment could only be obtained at clinics. Which made this treatment method relatively expensive as each session costs hundreds of shekels. Recently, there are several groundbreaking companies (among them the company I head – Excellent Brain Ltd.) that have succeeded in developing neurofeedback systems for home use. In recent years, sensors and groundbreaking systems have developed that allow neurofeedback training to be much simpler, cheaper, and more accurate.
Neurofeedback is based on training and learning the brain. Therefore, the ability learned and improved throughout the training program remains with the trainee in a very similar way to the ability of cycling, even after the end of training and in many cases over many years.
No critical side effects are currently known for this non-invasive treatment method that uses the trainee’s ability to improve himself. Moreover, statistics show that the neurofeedback method is suitable for about 85% of the population, this figure is high but it should be understood that out of ten people one or two will probably have to find another solution because it will not suit them.
Most importantly, neurofeedback is not magic! This is not a method that solves everything. People and especially children with attention and concentration problems should receive holistic treatment that includes looking at various elements in the patient’s life but this is a very effective method that helps people upgrade their lives.
Finally, the clear and unequivocal message must be conveyed: Medication is effective in many cases and can be approached when needed, but it is important to remember that there are other, no less effective solutions that must be tested and tried and sometimes even achieve extraordinary results. It should be clearly stated that neurofeedback does not come to replace medication, and anything related to medication must be consulted by a psychiatrist who is qualified to treat the issue.
Author: Ofer A. Lidsky – CEO of TerraSafe Ltd. and Brain Excellent Ltd. – entrepreneur, self-taught and certified neurofeedback therapist.
