Neurofeedback training: How brain waves regulation can benefit you?

A Quick Guide

Neurofeedback training allows individuals to consciously control their brain waves by receiving feedback from recorded EEG components. It can be categorized into low-frequency training (alpha or theta waves) for relaxation and focus, and high-frequency training (low beta, beta, and theta waves) for attention and organization. Different treatment protocols target specific brain wave frequencies to address conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, epilepsy, and depression.

What is Neurofeedback training?

Neurofeedback is a new trend and a topic of interest for multiple researchers worldwide. It is a method that allows people to consciously control their brain waves.

EEG is recorded and its components in the form of audio, and video are fed back to the person. This allows them to track any changes and personal progress. Consequently, this gives them the power of self-regulation which facilitates a person to achieve a state of optimum functioning.

What are the types of Neurofeedback Training?

Overall, we can categorize neurofeedback training into two types:

1. Low-frequency training
2. High-frequency training

Low-Frequency Vs High-Frequency Training

Low-frequency training includes alpha or theta wave regulation which improves focus and induces relaxation. Whereas, high-frequency training focuses on high brain frequencies, particularly low beta, beta, and theta to improve attention, organization, and limit distractibility.

Types and characteristics of brain waves

The brain’s neuronal’ actions provide a plethora of data about other neural network activity. Electrical pulses are generated by neurons when they are active. The neural impulse of the brain also referred to as EEG, can be captured by applying electrodes to the scalp. EEG components include recording the following waves. Each wave has its own frequency and characteristics. For example,

• Delta waves are active during sleep, problem-solving, and deep unconscious states.
• Theta waves are apparent during creativity, meditation, depression, anxiety, distraction, and deep unconscious states.
• Alpha waves are prominent during both peaceful and alert states, mediation, and relaxation. Lower alphas during recall and upper alpha when one is performing higher cognitive functions.  
• Beta waves are active when one is thinking, attentive, alert, and excited. Whereas, high Beta is apparent during intense hyperalert and anxious states. SMR (sensorimotor rhythm) or low Beta is apparent during mental alertness and physical relaxation.
• Gamma waves have a higher frequency and are apparent during cognitive processing, problem-solving, learning, and mental activity states.

How is Neurofeedback training used?

In neurofeedback training, subjects get training to regulate their brain waves to achieve a desired mental state. Likewise, the usage of electrodes changes the amplitude and speed of brain waves to treat conditions like anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, epilepsy, migraines, traumatic brain injuries, anger, restless legs syndrome, addictions, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and migraines.

What are the different treatment protocols?

Some of the different treatment protocols are the following:

Alpha protocol

The brain’s alpha wave is frequently linked to alert relaxation. A quiet and peaceful atmosphere is regarded as the alpha mood. The brain’s creative activity is described by all alpha frequencies, which are utilized to induce muscle relaxation, which eventually results in sleep. These waves quickly appear and spread out throughout the skin. There is proof that when people meditate, their alpha waves rise.

Regulation of alpha waves helps to treat pain conditions, stress, and anxiety and improve memory. Certain frequencies of waves may induce sleep, meditation, and a relaxed muscle state. Additionally, breathing rate and heart rate are also reduced.

Beta Protocol

Regulation of beta waves on the other hand induces a state of high cognitive activity, focus, and problem-solving. You may have heard that Ritalin and Adderall are popular medications that stimulate concentration and alertness in a person. While this is happening, the brain produces Beta waves.

So instead of relying on medications with their side effects, one can use neurofeedback training to achieve the same result. Similarly, Beta training helps to improve a person’s school performance, and reduce worry, anxiety, insomnia, and overthinking. In some cases, it also helps in fighting fatigue and stress.

Theta Protocol

Theta wave training allows one to manage sleep, and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. At the same time, it can increase creativity, musical performance, and healing from trauma. It is done when the person’s eyes are closed. More likely in the first stages of sleep when the sleep is light and the person easily wakes up.

Delta Protocol

Delta waves are the most prominent when one is in deep sleep. These are the slowest brain waves that indicate comfort, sleep, and low pain. These are regulated to induce sleep in insomnia, relieve headaches and improve learning.

Gamma Protocol

Gamma waves as mentioned earlier are associated with high cognitive processing. These are the highest frequency waves. Therefore, memory recall occurs more quickly if these waves are moving more quickly. Fast rhythms called gamma waves are in charge of the neuronal connections and information transmission in the brain.

They are mostly seen in the hippocampal region which is an area of the brain which is supposed to convert short-term memory to long-term memory. Additionally, these quick beats are seen with abrupt outbursts like spasms and seizures. Gamma training is therefore utilized to encourage thinking, intellectual ability, cognitive function, and problem-solving abilities. It enhances short-term memory, short-term information processing speed, brain organization, and poor arithmetic ability in addition to fewer migraine attacks.

We hope the above article was useful for you in understanding the types, characteristics, uses, and different protocols of neurofeedback training. To learn more about its different applications in the treatment of various other mental disorders, check out our article: Neurofeedback Training – Multiple Applications In Treatment.